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
If that is all the Rt. 6 Association can think of doing, then they might as well give up. They should be working on brining in professional office space to downtown. They should be working on tearing down the ratty old buildings and replacing them with modern office space. Downtown is no longer viable for retail and it should not be promoted there. Instead, attract professional offices and eating establishments. The last thing we need is more crap hanging from the light poles.
Two of three comments are useless, negative comments the second is constructive critizism which I do not agree with but willingly accept because it is constructive. If TIF's are to be used lets use them properly and consider downtown Peru.
Oh boy. Sounds like somebody wants to relocate downtown Utica to Downtown Peru. Candle Shops, Book Nooks, and Bars. I'm sure the tourists will flock here - NOT! I agree with 8:51 - level most of the block between Peoria Street and Calhoun Street and make incentives to build modern office space - cater to CPA's, Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, etc. It might even raise the IQ of our town a few points.
Mike Royko's motto for Chicago was, "Ubi Est Mea" which translates to, "Where's mine?" I think it'd fit Peru rather well. Has anyone paid back that 35 thou?.....Didn't think so.
Does our city have a policy regarding cell phones being used when driving for city employees while driving during work hours in city vehicles???? Over the past several weeks I have personally witnessed this happening many times! Doesn't illinois have a law regarding this? Why doesn't city employees, chief positions, superintendants of departments and the township follow the law?? Nobody should be above the law!!! Let's not mention summer employees on cell phone while on the clock and suppose to be working.
The comments are here are awful. Really sad how some of you view things. We are not perfect for sure, but it is sad how some people can be so critical. Just curious, have you tried to make a difference? Or run for office? Pathetic comments here and no one ever gravitates toward negative. Good luck.
As one reads through the comments here you realize that the most important topics to bloggers are pickle ball, concerts, firetrucks and probably fireworks.
I totally disagree with your comment 12:06. While the topic may be picklelball or concerts of firetrucks it's not the topic itself that people are upset about it's the way these things came to be. Citizens are looking for the open and honest government they were promised by Mayor Harl when he was campaigning and they are still looking. The above mentioned topics were introduced illegally and without consideration for all involved. Our government tends to cater to those who they think will help them and not the average joe who pays their wages and who they are supposed to represent. That is may opinion and I am a blogger and I disagree with you.
12:06 these are so many closed sessions. Can you imagine, what would be said on this blog if there weren't so many of those. I think bloggers/comments are being transparent on this site. Transparency from the city, apparently not. And yes, I'm intelligent enough to realize that occasionally closed session are necessary. This BLOGSITE is very informative and I appreciate it's existence.
Talking on a cell phone while driving (without a hands free device) is a primary offense in Illinois. This means the police can pull you over if they see it. I believe it is a $75 fine and is considered a moving violation for insurance purposes. I think every city vehicle has a fleet number on the drivers side near the front. Otherwise, there is a license plate number. If you see a city employee violating the law, email the number to the Chief of Police, copy the City Clerk. You should not e the time of day and general location.
I see city employees on their phones all the time . if not in a truck while driving then sitting somewhere texting on the clock . Still no supervision !!
Almost hit a Baby Boomer coming home from work yesterday. He was on “Adventure” Drive facing the Mall. I was on 38th Street west bound just north of the bank getting ready to pass through the intersection, no stop required in this direction. The Baby Boomer looked at me, pulled around the cones and turned left toward 251. Turning left is not just illegal at this intersection; it is extremely awkward to negotiate around the cones. I slammed on my breaks and barely missed the old codger, I’m lucky there was nobody immediately behind me. Despite having violated two laws, failure to yield and an illegal left turn, the guy looked at me dumbfounded and pointed a finger at me like it was my fault. Then he simply smiled and waved as he went about his illegal route to the 251 intersection. I didn’t notice if he bothered to stop at the red light or just went through that intersection also.
I have seen cops on the cell while driving a number of times recently. Perhaps the law does not apply to them if they are using the phone for law enforcement purposes. But what if a cop is using his cellular phone while driving on duty to conduct his private business dealings? Do any of the Peru officers have private business ventures? Can anyone "shed some light" on that subject?
5:38, I have another pet peeve about Peru drivers in general. They DO NOT know how to turn onto a multi-lane road! People, when turning left onto a road that has more than one lane going in the same direction, you need to turn into the closest lane to you. In other words, you should turn into the left lane of the two lanes going in your direction. People around here constantly turn into the far right lane! This is dangerous because cars on the other side of the road turning right turn into that lane. So if you ultimately want to be in the right lane, you MUST turn into the left lane first, drive a few hundred feet, signal that you are going to change lanes, look, and then change lanes. It is simple and done everywhere else in this country except the Illinois Valley!
How about (Come to Peru where we can lower your property values and give you less and poorer services, but we have a circus every council meeting now that's entertainment.) what does anyone think of that one
9:28 how is there a circus at every council meeting? Obviously you are there to know that so please be specific.
Also how does Peru give you less services? As opposed to who?
Also how about the services for what you pay in taxes? Are there any communities around that provide more services for the amount of taxes that you pay? If so please name them.
Also how has Peru lowered your property values? The housing collapse and nationwide recession lowered your property values, so please explain how being in Peru contributed to this.
9:09, the biggest problem with people in Peru is that they have never been anywhere else. I swear, half of the yokels around here expect you to know where they are going so they don't even bother to signal a turn. People in the Illinois Valley have been isolated all their lives and have never experienced life in the real world. Sort of like the Truman Show. Or better yet, one of those lost tribes in South America that marvel at a coke bottle.
I'm not from here originally so am I not living in the "real world" by being here? I have a job and a family and a home. Pretty sure that is the "real world."
What is wrong with people living in the community they grew up in? Other comments on the blog like to refer to all of the young people leaving and not coming back. You seem convinced that everyone is from here. Interesting.
Or maybe you just have nothing intelligent to post so you go with a comment like that.
"People in the Illinois Valley have been isolated all their lives......" Really. To be honest you are the one who sounds pretty isolated. I feel sorry for you.
@10:56 AM Really you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I have lived in the Illinois Valley most of my life because I perfer too. I have also been in most of the states and many foreign countries. I don't understand what your specific problem is but I will advice you that no matter where you travel or live people will treat you as you treat them. So smile the next time someone does not use their turn signal and learn that you'll attract alot more bees with honey than you will with vinegar. ATITUDE, ATITUDE, ATITUDE! The majority of people who leave the Ilinois Valley do so because of a job situation, not because of dissatisfaction of the community. This job situation is a state problem as well as a local problem.
I think the point of the 10:56 comment was that many (not all) people around here are not receptive to outside ideas. They tend to do things "the way it has always been done." When anyone comes up with an idea or concept that is "foreign" to them, the reject it without even thinking. There is also a decidedly small town protectionist attitude around here and frankly a lot of "old" power - both political and financial. The systems set up by our leadership primarily benefits the "old" names instead of encouraging innovation and new ideas. Frankly, I believe the best thing for Peru would be to hire a City Manager that does not have any local chains holding him or her down. Somebody from outside the area - somebody that is not afraid that if they say no to one of the power brokers it will not hurt a member of their family or a friend. Better yet, this person should be from outside the State of Illinois. Naturally, we would need a city manager with the appropriate government structure - not simply a manger hired by the mayor.
Putting this on the November ballot would be an excellent idea. I will sign the petition as will many others, you will have to problem getting signatures. It might even have a good change in the vote because much damage is being done by the current administration.
I know what you mean about the drivers around here 5:38. But, you forgot about the 4-Way Stop waivers. You know, the ones that fear the intersection and will not proceed until they have waived everyone else through. Including the people behind them (joke). I just passed through the Shooting Park Road / Peoria Street intersection. As you know, Peoria Street south of Shooting Park is blocked off for construction. There is a big earth moving machine parked in the north bound lane. If not for the barricades, it would look like it was stopped at the intersection. I swear to Pete I just saw a person heading west on Shooting Park trying to wave that machine through the intersection!
Similar to Missouri the "Show Me" state Peru Banners should be branded "Ask Me No Questions and I'll Tell You No Lies!". Or "If You Don't a Like My Bannas Don't Shake a My Tree". Another good one would be "When I die burY me on my belly so everyone can kiss my sweet a__ __! But so may local incumbent politicians have been paracticing this saying for so long it is already a long term platform for those still living.
The potential different wording on the banners is unlimited. Each banner could tell a story of its own. One banner could read "Peru a equal opportunity city. Manufacturer of legal and illegal drugs". The next banner could read "Peru a equal opportunity city. We respect and patronize both legal and illegal gambling". The following banner could read "Peru a city which favors creative business practices and bid and no bid contracts". as you can see the banners are potentially unlimited. Maybe you have a phrase you would enjoy submitting?
Think of these three words: Cheat, Lie and Steal. If a person conducts themselves doing one of those words, they will do all three, which means they have no intregrity, and never should be trusted. NEVER EVER TRUST SOMEONE WHO HAS LIED, CHEATED, OR STOLE from you, or has done to others, because they will do it again to you and to others. 3:38-I like your post.
30 comments:
Welcome to Peru where you have too file out a 3x5 card too speak at council meeting ! If approved by Mayor !
If that is all the Rt. 6 Association can think of doing, then they might as well give up. They should be working on brining in professional office space to downtown. They should be working on tearing down the ratty old buildings and replacing them with modern office space. Downtown is no longer viable for retail and it should not be promoted there. Instead, attract professional offices and eating establishments. The last thing we need is more crap hanging from the light poles.
How about this very appropriate slogan;
"Peru, the Cheater of the Valley"
Two of three comments are useless, negative comments the second is constructive critizism which I do not agree with but willingly accept because it is constructive.
If TIF's are to be used lets use them properly and consider downtown Peru.
Oh boy. Sounds like somebody wants to relocate downtown Utica to Downtown Peru. Candle Shops, Book Nooks, and Bars. I'm sure the tourists will flock here - NOT! I agree with 8:51 - level most of the block between Peoria Street and Calhoun Street and make incentives to build modern office space - cater to CPA's, Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, etc. It might even raise the IQ of our town a few points.
Mike Royko's motto for Chicago was, "Ubi Est Mea" which translates to, "Where's mine?"
I think it'd fit Peru rather well.
Has anyone paid back that 35 thou?.....Didn't think so.
Does our city have a policy regarding cell phones being used when driving for city employees while driving during work hours in city vehicles???? Over the past several weeks I have personally witnessed this happening many times! Doesn't illinois have a law regarding this? Why doesn't city employees, chief positions, superintendants of departments and the township follow the law?? Nobody should be above the law!!! Let's not mention summer employees on cell phone while on the clock and suppose to be working.
The comments are here are awful. Really sad how some of you view things. We are not perfect for sure, but it is sad how some people can be so critical. Just curious, have you tried to make a difference? Or run for office? Pathetic comments here and no one ever gravitates toward negative. Good luck.
As one reads through the comments here you realize that the most important topics to bloggers are pickle ball, concerts, firetrucks and probably fireworks.
Here we go. Lol.
I totally disagree with your comment 12:06. While the topic may be picklelball or concerts of firetrucks it's not the topic itself that people are upset about it's the way these things came to be. Citizens are looking for the open and honest government they were promised by Mayor Harl when he was campaigning and they are still looking. The above mentioned topics were introduced illegally and without consideration for all involved. Our government tends to cater to those who they think will help them and not the average joe who pays their wages and who they are supposed to represent. That is may opinion and I am a blogger and I disagree with you.
12:06 these are so many closed sessions. Can you imagine, what would be said on this blog if there weren't so many of those. I think bloggers/comments are being transparent on this site. Transparency from the city, apparently not. And yes, I'm intelligent enough to realize that occasionally closed session are necessary. This BLOGSITE is very informative and I appreciate it's existence.
Talking on a cell phone while driving (without a hands free device) is a primary offense in Illinois. This means the police can pull you over if they see it. I believe it is a $75 fine and is considered a moving violation for insurance purposes.
I think every city vehicle has a fleet number on the drivers side near the front. Otherwise, there is a license plate number. If you see a city employee violating the law, email the number to the Chief of Police, copy the City Clerk. You should not e the time of day and general location.
I like most of the comments here. Some make me LOL because they are so funny, like the first comment on this topic.
How about this for the light poles "Peru 2014 FBI was here!"
I see city employees on their phones all the time . if not in a truck while driving then sitting somewhere texting on the clock . Still no supervision !!
Almost hit a Baby Boomer coming home from work yesterday. He was on “Adventure” Drive facing the Mall. I was on 38th Street west bound just north of the bank getting ready to pass through the intersection, no stop required in this direction. The Baby Boomer looked at me, pulled around the cones and turned left toward 251. Turning left is not just illegal at this intersection; it is extremely awkward to negotiate around the cones. I slammed on my breaks and barely missed the old codger, I’m lucky there was nobody immediately behind me. Despite having violated two laws, failure to yield and an illegal left turn, the guy looked at me dumbfounded and pointed a finger at me like it was my fault. Then he simply smiled and waved as he went about his illegal route to the 251 intersection. I didn’t notice if he bothered to stop at the red light or just went through that intersection also.
I have seen cops on the cell while driving a number of times recently.
Perhaps the law does not apply to them if they are using the phone for law enforcement purposes. But what if a cop is using his cellular phone while driving on duty to conduct his private business dealings? Do any of the Peru officers have private business ventures? Can anyone "shed some light" on that subject?
5:38, I have another pet peeve about Peru drivers in general. They DO NOT know how to turn onto a multi-lane road! People, when turning left onto a road that has more than one lane going in the same direction, you need to turn into the closest lane to you. In other words, you should turn into the left lane of the two lanes going in your direction. People around here constantly turn into the far right lane! This is dangerous because cars on the other side of the road turning right turn into that lane.
So if you ultimately want to be in the right lane, you MUST turn into the left lane first, drive a few hundred feet, signal that you are going to change lanes, look, and then change lanes.
It is simple and done everywhere else in this country except the Illinois Valley!
How about (Come to Peru where we can lower your property values and give you less and poorer services, but we have a circus every council meeting now that's entertainment.) what does anyone think of that one
9:28 how is there a circus at every council meeting? Obviously you are there to know that so please be specific.
Also how does Peru give you less services? As opposed to who?
Also how about the services for what you pay in taxes? Are there any communities around that provide more services for the amount of taxes that you pay? If so please name them.
Also how has Peru lowered your property values? The housing collapse and nationwide recession lowered your property values, so please explain how being in Peru contributed to this.
Thank you.
9:09, the biggest problem with people in Peru is that they have never been anywhere else. I swear, half of the yokels around here expect you to know where they are going so they don't even bother to signal a turn. People in the Illinois Valley have been isolated all their lives and have never experienced life in the real world. Sort of like the Truman Show. Or better yet, one of those lost tribes in South America that marvel at a coke bottle.
Brilliant comment 10:56. Does that include you?
I'm not from here originally so am I not living in the "real world" by being here? I have a job and a family and a home. Pretty sure that is the "real world."
What is wrong with people living in the community they grew up in? Other comments on the blog like to refer to all of the young people leaving and not coming back. You seem convinced that everyone is from here. Interesting.
Or maybe you just have nothing intelligent to post so you go with a comment like that.
"People in the Illinois Valley have been isolated all their lives......" Really. To be honest you are the one who sounds pretty isolated. I feel sorry for you.
@10:56 AM Really you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I have lived in the Illinois Valley most of my life because I perfer too. I have also been in most of the states and many foreign countries.
I don't understand what your specific problem is but I will advice you that no matter where you travel or live people will treat you as you treat them. So smile the next time someone does not use their turn signal and learn that you'll attract alot more bees with honey than you will with vinegar. ATITUDE, ATITUDE, ATITUDE!
The majority of people who leave the Ilinois Valley do so because of a job situation, not because of dissatisfaction of the community. This job situation is a state problem as well as a local problem.
I think the point of the 10:56 comment was that many (not all) people around here are not receptive to outside ideas. They tend to do things "the way it has always been done." When anyone comes up with an idea or concept that is "foreign" to them, the reject it without even thinking. There is also a decidedly small town protectionist attitude around here and frankly a lot of "old" power - both political and financial. The systems set up by our leadership primarily benefits the "old" names instead of encouraging innovation and new ideas. Frankly, I believe the best thing for Peru would be to hire a City Manager that does not have any local chains holding him or her down. Somebody from outside the area - somebody that is not afraid that if they say no to one of the power brokers it will not hurt a member of their family or a friend. Better yet, this person should be from outside the State of Illinois. Naturally, we would need a city manager with the appropriate government structure - not simply a manger hired by the mayor.
4:36 PM
Putting this on the November ballot would be an excellent idea. I will sign the petition as will many others, you will have to problem getting signatures. It might even have a good change in the vote because much damage is being done by the current administration.
I know what you mean about the drivers around here 5:38. But, you forgot about the 4-Way Stop waivers. You know, the ones that fear the intersection and will not proceed until they have waived everyone else through. Including the people behind them (joke). I just passed through the Shooting Park Road / Peoria Street intersection. As you know, Peoria Street south of Shooting Park is blocked off for construction. There is a big earth moving machine parked in the north bound lane. If not for the barricades, it would look like it was stopped at the intersection. I swear to Pete I just saw a person heading west on Shooting Park trying to wave that machine through the intersection!
I think "Cheater of the Valley" is the winner. Start making the banners Vickrey.
Similar to Missouri the "Show Me" state Peru Banners should be branded "Ask Me No Questions and I'll Tell You No Lies!". Or "If You Don't a Like My Bannas Don't Shake a My Tree".
Another good one would be "When I die burY me on my belly so everyone can kiss my sweet a__ __! But so may local incumbent politicians have been paracticing this saying for so long it is already a long term platform for those still living.
"Peru, Il. Home of the Closed Session"
The potential different wording on the banners is unlimited. Each banner could tell a story of its own. One banner could read "Peru a equal opportunity city. Manufacturer of legal and illegal drugs". The next banner could read "Peru a equal opportunity city. We respect and patronize both legal and illegal gambling". The following banner could read "Peru a city which favors creative business practices and bid and no bid contracts". as you can see the banners are potentially unlimited. Maybe you have a phrase you would enjoy submitting?
Think of these three words: Cheat, Lie and Steal. If a person conducts themselves doing one of those words, they will do all three, which means they have no intregrity, and never should be trusted. NEVER EVER TRUST SOMEONE WHO HAS LIED, CHEATED, OR STOLE from you, or has done to others, because they will do it again to you and to others. 3:38-I like your post.
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