Ray Zborowski is the speaker at the beginning of the meeting, President of the ineffective Peru Recreation Board.
Note Mayor Harl's tone of voice.
This council is not impartial and the mayor is showing his cards about who he favors and who he dislikes intensely.
The mayor chooses what areas he takes an interest in and who he works against and he does this time and time again. Remember that Ald. Ferrari has a brother who plays pickleball.
Monday, June 02, 2014
Peru City Council "Straw Poll " Committee Mtg of the Whole
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61 comments:
thank you Ald. Mueller and Ald. Perez for being standup representatives of the people on this issue.
At the end of each council meeting there is public comment. Usually a person is allowed to speak but no response is offered and no question answered. Tonight things were different. Someone got up, expressed their view point and was offered many suggestions. Not only was this person acknowledged, a vote (an illegal vote) was taken by the council. Not only was a vote taken - a decision was made. Once again proof that it's who you are in this town that counts.
A motion was made to lock the park and a second was made by the other committee member. Perez-Mueller. Stay tuned we can't wait for next weeks show.
All over different areas of peru water is rusty!! Need a blog title regarding this. Clothes ruined from washing! Swimming pools cloudy, bathing in rusty water, toilets water brown. Boil order? What the heck is going in???? Didn't know where to put this. Are water bills going to be lowered due to this? Is someone not doing their job?
They did a wonderful job of representing the two people that wanted to close the courts. Tough luck to the many others that play the game. I hope they don't lock up the water plant next week.
Hard to believe the hatred that the mayor and other aldermen have for Mr. Perez. The way that they challenge, oppose, and filibuster anything that Perez attempts to do is shameful. Harl is an absolute joke with his embarrassing and petty tactic of callinf for a "Straw Poll" vote to side-step the authority of the Public Property Committee. If any committee is so easily overuled by a full council "Straw Poll", then we may as well disband all committees and just conduct all city business by "Straw Poll" during one meeting per month. What a disgraceful display of partisan politics.
We have got to get some new blood on this council, and soon!
Do Alderman have the authority to close up a activity at a public park? How much power do they have on a individual basis?
Mayor Harl may have a dislike for many of the Alderman. The topic was closing a public activity in a public park. It wasn't about anything more. I think you may need a court order to close a public park. Is it possible that the two on the Park committee overstepped their boundries with this action. And is it possible that the two on the committee are being controlled by a few vocal residents?
9:37 You haven't a clue as to what you're even talking about. You obviously don't know the whole truth and wouldn;t believe it even if you did. I'm tired of people commenting on a topic that they no only false information on.
In case you people are not aware the park of which you speak has been closed every year when the pickleball people decide that their season is over. Then, the nets are all taken down and the gates locked at this particular park only. Therefore, the pickleball people determine when and how long this particular court will be used per season.
11:12 the nets are taken down at every park during the winter. Because they don't play tennis or pickleball during the winter. Maybe the weather determines how long the outdoor courts stay open? Not the pickleball people.
I do agree that nobody should put a padlock on a park. Or a pickleball court, or a swimming pool. OOOPS, did we say swimming pool and padlock?
Being that pickleball will eventually be moved to Washington Park sometime this year I can't believe that someone didn't come up with the perfect solution for one and all. That would be to remove the pickleball nets and the bolts that hold them into the ground so tennis players and others can use the court. When any pickleball player wants to play they could set up the nets as they do now when they play (bungie cord them to one another and the fence). Since they haven't used more than 2 nets this year that should be all they need. When done the ambassador could take them home with him. This way the court has also been partially readied for the tennis company to come in a resurface it.
Where is all the pickle ball equipment stored? When was the last inventory taken of this equipment and matched to what the taxpayers have paid for? Who has the responsibility of this equipment and do they need to be bonded and is the equipment insured? What is the total investment by the city to provide pickle ball?
For everybody's information, the Rec Board locked the tennis court two years ago for well over a week. Who gives them authority to do that?
OMG! Listen to how Mayor Harl talks over the lady in the audience trying to say something. How rude and disrespectful he is.
Are the tennis courts at Washington Park ever locked? I believe in the past, I thought I have seen players on the court during milder days in the colder months. I also think that the baseball fields are open year round too.
Well said 12:48. The rec board also gave the ambassador permission to purchase equipment and supplies for his game without it being on an agenda and without anyone knowing what was going on. Direct violation of OMA but they didn't care.
Been to a many of baseball games in LaSalle over the last couple of years and there tennis courts in which are lighted are used by the public every time I've been to a baseball game. No locks! I've even been there at 9:30-10:00 and they are being used by people playing tennis.
Let the recreation board do their job, why does the rest of the city officials continue to be micromanagers?
Because 2:17 believe you me the rec board needs micromanaging.
1:59 What is OMA? wHY NOT CALL THE fbi? Who is this representative that has knowledge of all these laws being broken?
If I jumped the fence and played pickleball would I go to jail or be flogged by those who put the padlock on the gate? Is that legal? Last time we played someone had music playing so loud I could'nt think. Could I have a padlock placed on that boombox?
Maybe I'm not in the loop of what's going on, but, when did we (peru) get a public services manager? What exactly is that position? And when did Jeff King get that title/job? Was it appointed? I was reading today's paper.
I own a black jeep and am having a horrible time with Peru's water. Whenever I wash it I see nothing but water spots when it drys. Looks horrible.
I have been told that Peru has a area with a water softener available at the electric dept. that does a great job. Who do I speak to to use this particular city wash bay?
why is it that the topic of recreation trumps everything in Peru? We have so many important issues to discuss. This issue should not take any of the council's time. It is unimportant! A waste! Not worthy of discussion!
There is no such thing as a "City Wash Bay." Get your own water softener. The only responsibility the government has is providing water that is safe to drink. We need to get back to basics folks. Government is not the answer to all life's problems.
Spots on your Jeep? Get real! We have the Democrats try to repeal the First Amendment to the Constitution, The Governor blackmailing us into a tax increase by holding back spending on education, and the Mayor of Chicago trying to suck the entire state dry and you are worried about spots on your Jeep!
No - absolutely not! get a Sham-Wow or use bottled water to wash your precious jeep. The Government is not going to pay to provide you with extra soft water to waste!
I think 11:14 and the jeep problem is sarcasm. Why do city employees get to use the city car wash (if that is the case), but regular people don't?
6:23 a.m. Is high grass a problem? Is loud music a problem? Do the aldermen have to deal with these issues? Yes, and they have to deal with pickleball too because it is a problem. And the pickleball players have made it a bigger problem by not cooperating.
11:14. you are looking at it the wrong way. If you are properly juiced in, you can get a city employee to wash your jeep. Just make some donation to the correct campaigned fund and everything will be taken care of.
I can't believe that one long time alderman was yawning during the pickleball discussion!
The pickleball issue is a non-issue designed to distract the low information voters from the real problems.
Loud music and high grass are not issues for the council beyond passing legislation against it. After that, it is a police issue. The council should not be dealing with this at all - either allow the rec board to do their job, or fire them and appoint new members - that is the only thing the council should do.
Anon 10:36 AM Bottled water, good idea!Maybe I can talk my alderman into bringing some home for me after they have their council meeting. Sure better than driving out to the electric facility to use that $650 water softener installed for a black jeep. Does the electric super's application mention anything about washing jeeps?
Why shouldn't the aldermen yawn? This pickle ball has gone on for over 2 years without a final solved conclusion. As neither side appears to be satisfied a format should be presented by the city. If a independent group was consulted they would logically present both sides a fair conclusion which seems to be.
One group demands a pickle ball facility and another group has proven pickle ball as a nuisance when located in a neighbor hood. So the easiest and best fix would be to locate the pickle ball court on the ice skating pond blacktop at Veterans Park. They could play pickle ball there in the spring, summer and fall and still ice skate there in the winter.
This location would not bother any neighbors.
I would emphasize that this offer has no alternatives and it is their one and final offer. Once presented the council should move on occupying itself conducting city business.
How many years have Ray and Ms. Grabowski been on the park board?
How about bringing some bottled aqua to my house so I don't have to drink rusty tap water and shower in rusty water. Yes folks, this is true.
The city is actually fine with pickleball being an issue. Because it's distracting to other issues that get sidelined.
Does the city always have a tentative date for concerts with the concert promotor? Additional dates are tentatively set for August 16 and September 13. The concerts for a cause concerts. My opinion is that since the city has condoned this concerts why doesn't the city stipulate EVERY concerts proceeds go towards a swimming pool? Do these Alderpersons/MAYOR not have a clue? Sounds like a great cause to me.
2:19 that idea was presented before. The pickleball players say it's too windy at Veteran's Park for them to play.
2:23 Obviously way too long!
1:33 Where there is high grass in your ward, who do you call? The police or your alderman?
That Alderman was probably Potthoff. At the meeting we all sat and listened to him preach about city pensions and liabilities and bringing in more stores, he had no consideration in understanding that we were not at the meeting to listen to his blah blah. He gave no input while the other alderman gave into the pickleball group.
3:13. I call the person with the high grass. Then I call the police. Then I call my lawyer. The City already has an ordinance - no need to call the alderman. The council is not there to act as a referee. The council is there to pass or legislation. Period! Hard Stop!
Anon 6:03 The council mans responsibilities do not stop at passing legislation. He is the steward of the ward and should be informed and then implement and follow up on all actions taken.
The membership of this council has a hard time realizing and accepting their responsibilities and also limit their area to ward or committee when convenient.
Anon 6:03 The council mans responsibilities do not stop at passing legislation. He is the steward of the ward and should be informed and then implement and follow up on all actions taken.
The membership of this council has a hard time realizing and accepting their responsibilities and also limit their area to ward or committee when convenient.
Anon 2:19 The pickle ball players say the one non-residential park in Peru is too windy and city after city has complaints of pickle ball being a noise nuisance.
Wind had to be a considered factor when Veterans Park was built but it was determined good enough for baseball, softball and a playground for young children plus the numerous fans watching.
To be fair to all residents make "one and final offer" to the pickle ball group. This means a take it or leave it offer stating that the city offers Veterans Park only. I don't want them in my back yard and neither do most others.
6:03 who do you call when the sewer backs up into your basement? Do you call the police?
8:02 you comment is right on the mark!
831 This is the final offer......you live by a public park. A public park has activity. You can enjoy living by the park or find a quiet area. The park has at best a few months of action, pickleball a few hours a week. You have convinced two members of the city council to agree that this park is not for activity and should serve as a quiet area for only a few backyards. Let those who play pickleball have a few more days before you bulldoze the courts. The tennis players have for many years enjoyed many tennis courts around the community and most of them are open all the time. We don't buy the argument we need more tennis courts as the city will be spending money to change the pickleball court back to seldom used tennis court. This makes no sense.
I suggest that the Peru Park Board be officially disbanded at the end of this summer season. Take time to study and learn from other cities of our size and reorganize with bylaws and ordinance in place. All current may reapply if they wish and all residents shall also have the same opportunity. Terms in office will be implemented and enforced and that will end the entitlement that currently exists.
Lets start fresh and also make sure that 2 aldermen are a part of that board at all times and take part in the decision making process before taking them to full council.
And it sure wouldn't hurt to have the mayor attend a few meetings a year and remain unbiased on activities and no favorites allowed.
I agree Lois, especially after this latest incident regarding the pickleball. If they had one months notice and also a regularly scheduled rec board meeting in the month of May to discuss their plans it appears they are unable to make decisions or to function properly as a board. Disband after the summer activities are over and start over, with new faces and board members who are concerned with the entire city, such as safe equipment in the parks, neighbors who may be impacted by their decisions, respectful of the aldermen who oversee their committee etc. etc. etc.
9:38 Nobody is going to bulldoze the courts. This nonsense and arrogant attitude needs to stop. A game was illegally started and changed from portable to permanent - all at the request of one individual. You are right that 28th street is a public park but more accurately it is a neighborhood park. The children in that neighborhood played tennis on a regular basis. They do not play pickleball at all. Now, would you rather have adults, who can drive, move to Washington Park to play their game or would you rather have youngsters ride their bikes across 251 to play tennis? This move is in no way harming the game of pickleball nor the people who play it. It is not strictly about the neighbors it is about putting the original tennis court back so the children in the neighborhood can use it.
10:38 well stated.
The Park Board secretary states "she never thought they would actually go thru with locking the court". Well that speaks volumes. The high and mighty didn't think they had to act within 30 days because they never thought the Public Property Committee would follow thru. Surprise! They did and now there is a definitive date that pickleball will be moved to Washington Park. As alderman Perez stated at the council meeting from the article in the news tribune "mission accomplished". Nicely done Aldermen Perez and Mueller, and thank you for sticking together on this issue.
Children? This is about children playing games 10:38. Since when was pickleball illegal to play?
Since when do childern ride their bikes across 251 to play tennis? The only ones that ever played tennis were the same people who play pickleball at 28th street. Its about control and the people who want control. Its about a well meaning group of people who wanted to introduce a fun activity in a park that is ideal for the game of pickleball. And neighbor who thinks the park is their private property. The neighbor won! Its not enough that the game will be moved, its payback to all those who wanted to play the game at this park. Like they say...match,set,game. Pickleball is moving and the outcome wasn't fair play.
8:48
you call the city and eventually get screwed over!
8:02. I call public works, then I call a plumber, then I call a cleaning service, then I call my lawyer.
2:06 What are you talking about? Who said anything about pickleball being illegal to play? Do you live by the park that you seem to know so much. The same people who play pickleball are not those who previously played tennis. And yes, the kids did play tennis but they do not play pickleball.
It's unbelievable there are two city officials who want to lock up a public park. Unbelievable! Thank God the Mayor and the rest of the Aldermen have enough courage and common sense not to cave in to irrational neighbors who think a city park should be devoid of all human activity like some nature preserve. And there is NO pickleball in anyone's backyard! The pickleball is in the park and the park is not anyone's backyard!!!
Read 7:04's blog. Are you kidding me. A position as public service manager. Are these titles just made up? What's the population of our city? This isn't New York.
6:09 it's unbelievable that the Recreation Board would lock up a public court, but they did two years ago. For a lot longer than a few hours. When their first pickleball season was over, they locked it up so nobody could damage their precious court.
No this isn't NY but there is a Peru, New York.
I watched all videos. Super job to alderman Perez and alderwoman mueller. These officials did what was right, if a street field or parking lot is scheduled for construction it's blocked off or closed sometimes way before the project starts. Perez said the city was going to start removing nets to prepare for the construction, was there an interior motive? Probably. But makes sense to me. Lock it up post a sign stating under renovation. I can't see PickleBall being a success. I agree it's a private group playing and that's it. In my opinion it's a waste of money to please a handful of people.
This nonsense that pickleball is a normal activity is just that. It is way louder, and the choice to locate it right in someones backyard could Only happen in Peru. Its a park. Yeah so what. It was illegally allowed, not illegal as a sport. No one said it was illegal. Just stupid.
Judges assume some common sense and diligence from a city in approving activities. In this case, one old insider got a burr up his butt that he wanted to take over some courts close to his house. No sane rec board would have done this without surveying neighbors and parks to see where it worked best. They did not. They put it where the cronie found it convenient. He lied about the noise, portability, and just about everything to get his little game going.
That old insider with the reoccurring burr up his butt has proven that the white shirt is not necessarily a sign of being a good guy.
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