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
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Point of Entry and of Exit for Proposed Traffic According to the News Report
A comment earlier this evening insisted traffic would not go on 251 to 80 and this is the reason I posted this map for those unfamiliar with the layout being discussed. Walmart and other small businesses are located on the east side of 251 and food, motels and gas stations to the west side. If the news report is accurate this is the traffic pattern. "From Interstate 80, trucks would drive 2/3 mile north on Plank Road, turn east onto the property, unload sand, and leave to the east on E. First Road. Trucks would then travel 1.5 miles on Unytite Drive and Route 251 back to Interstate 80, clear of residential areas." Go to News Tribune for complete report.
this is still ok with me. more truck traffic equals more real jobs. This is good for Peru and good for the Illinois Valley. There is also going to be a barge terminal expansion on Water Street that will increase traffic between I80 and Water Street. This is also good.
Tonights story in the "Fish-Wrapper" shows that apparently all Peru Boards and Commissions are dysfunctional. Very entertaining to see that board members on one commission vote against something in one vote and then vote for it on the other commission or board. Gotta love Peru politics. Then this "Sand Company", with financial roots to "ENRON" comes in and sweeps these commission members off their feet with this huge transport project. Remember ENRON folks? They screwed and scammed each and every American citizen back in the 90's by manipulating energy markets and causing huge rate increases and blackouts across the country. The incompetent elected officials of Peru are doing a huge disservice to its citianes by not informing them of the environmental impact this facility will present. Harl and the aldermen are either completely ignorant of what they are about to do or they are just totally incompetent. They should welcome this company to come to Peru with the stipulation that they commit to and demonstrate that this operation will "exceed" all environmental standards for emissions/dust. If you travel thru Wisconsin on the Interstate near Chippewa Falls you will pass directly by this company' similar facility and you will see a cloud of dust encompassing the entire area. If the wind is out of the east, visibility on the Interstate is affected to various degrees. Do you think any of our local elected "Knucleheads", aka mayor, aldermen, plan commission, or zoning board members have taken the initiative to research and contact any of this company's existing facilities? I don''t believe any of them possess the skills or initiative to provide a truly "educated" opinion. Do you think Harl instructed our "Lobbyist" to provide the elected officials with a detailed report on the aspects of this type of industry? Yea, right! I'm all for new industry and good paying jobs, but Peru's elected officials are ramming this through way to fast. Why do you think Earlville took a step back to think about it. These facilities produce a tremendous amount of dust and guess what? That sand is pretty hard on roads. That dust, if not properly contained will have a huge impact on the quality of life for anyone in the surrounding area as well as the residential area of Peru when there is a strong prevailing wind from the North. Who will maintain those roads when they begin to break down as early as next summer? My guess is that Peru's elected officials will continue to have no clue what the hell they are approving and there will be no significant assurances or agreements from this company to control its emissions or provide funding for maintaind city owned roadways. Also, the company official that stated the remaining acreage they will buy would be used for "conservation" must have had his fingers crossed and his pants were definately on fire. It's going to be hilarious to watch the Peru City Council just "Ram" this deal through with no discussion or due diligence. They will all eventually pay the price next summer and beyond when the dust starts flying. Gotta love Peru politics.
We can't approach this from a NIMBY attitude. If there are extra trucks driving through the area - oh well, we just have to put up with it. That is the price for having adequate employment. Unless we want everyone selling corndogs at a tourist trap in the summer for minimum wage.
8:12 Amen and well stated. I just read an article with regards to the Chippewa Falls site and quite frankly it scares the h... out of me. I too hope we, for once, think before we vote.
No 8:28. 8:12 is right. We can have the industry and the jobs, but our elected officials must protect the health and safety of the citizens as well as the environment. These companies have the resources to capture the emissions and provide funds for maintaining the roadways they utilize. Do not think we can't have both. We just need elected officials that have the brains and the "stones" to make it happen. Sadly, I don't see the brains or the balls.
8:12 - good raising your family on the wages from selling corndogs in the summer. Or maybe you will be the luck one and become the captain of the canal boat or possibly the Burgoomiester.
Hilarious! The yokels around here complain to the high heavens about not having jobs or opportunity. Then they complain about traffic when business starts to expand. What about all the farmers growing corn for one purpose - to burn in your gas tank? Then they get government money to grow corn on land that should be left alone - which is exasperating the flooding issues along the river. Agriculture is has a bigger negative impact on the environment around here than anything else. We need more sand mining. More sand transportation. More sand processing!
I just filled up the gas tank on my SUV and it was less than $50 for a full tank! More sand = more oil = lower gas prices! I love it. Lets get this sand shipping facility running three shifts 7 days a week! Ever since I was born, people have been saying how much better things would be if we had energy independence - well friends, now we do! Time to take advantage of it. I might even buy a bigger truck!
As long as they follow the guidelines set by the EPA I am ok with it. Our local council should not add any additional restrictions and should definitely not try to extort additional money out of them. We need the work and we need low fuel prices - period. Both will offset ANY and ALL inconveniences to our local NIMBY's that are hell bent on preventing any type of industrial expansion in LaSalle County. All they want is tourists from Chicago looking at colored leaves and stupid birds.
Why does Peru have trick or treating from 5 to 7 on a weeknight? Don't they realize that most people work until 5? At least give people a chance to get home without having to drive through a bunch of kids and parents walking through the streets. This is dangerous - trick or treating should be put off until at least 6:00 PM to give people a chance to get home. Your can tell most of the people on our council don't work a regular job so they don't think about this kind of stuff.
1:58 Before you make any more comments read the article entitled Concerned Chippewa Falls citizen and become informed and maybe just a little more educated with regards to this business. We should not be hasty.
Lois you are again misinformed. I spoke to someone who was there and the company only proposed this as one possible route. There are several things being considered and several alternatives are being looked at. You really should start attending these hearings or speak to people who can answer your questions with facts. You seem to be suggesting final decisions have been made when in fact that is not the case.
A committee as a whole meeting is scheduled once again starting at 6:00 on Monday but don't bother to attend because it is posted "there will be no open meeting or discussions". In other words the whole 1 1/2 hours will be a closed session meeting. Why do we even label these meetings as we do because in reality they are in no way, shape, or form a "committee as a whole" meeting.
You in effect are stating that it is my responsibility to make sure that the News Tribune is publishing the truth and to accomplish that I need to attend every meeting held at the city hall and while there hold everyone in attendance to telling the truth. ??? Not sure what you are smoking. Why don't you attend and then post to the blog what you determine to be the truth.
The "closed sessions" are designed to give aldermen their "marching orders" and direct their votes on issues like the sand transport facility and other matters that Harl and the council keep secret until it' time to vote. The sand facility is a classic example of how they hold secret meetings without public participation or scrutiny until it's time to rush it onto the agenda for the pre-determined vote. Did John Q. Public hear a single word about this sand facility before this week? Not unless you're in the loop you didn't. This mayor and council has so little respect or regard for its citizens it is disgraceful. They could care less what the regular folks think and they never will as long as they are allowed to stay in office. We need elected officials with a damn clue of what their duties and responsibilities to the people really are. They should never be awarded for preventing the public from participating and observing its governemnt at work. Shameful!
6:31, the NT is far from a "Republican PAC." On the contrary, I would say if they had any preference at all it is always in favor of the incumbent - no matter the political party. Somebody said they are cheerleaders - that adequately describes their view. They generally favor government in all instances. In their eyes, the government can't do wrong and they always print that side of he story - never researching anything beyond asking the government official what they think.
Mr. 2:54 I am with you and will go one further. Trick or Treating is a thing of the past and Peru should just do away with it. Maybe have a party at the mall or the y. But, this door to door begging for candy needs to stop. First off, it is teaching kids that they can simply beg for candy and they will get it. Nope, this tradition has outlived its fun. Besides, Halloween in no longer a kids holiday. It has turned into another New Years Eve or St. Patrick's day - a night of drinking and debauchery. We need to do something about this and the best way is the BAN HALLOWEEN!
Halloween is surely not a night of drinking and debauchery in Peru as there was no traffic in the entire town Friday and Saturday evenings, and has not been for quite awhile. Does anyone know what the answer is to this? The amount of traffic in the retail section is nil in the evenings and makes it questionable how much longer the 40 something Peru Mall can survive. It, like most other enterprises in Peru, is being ignored by city officials. They similarly have only acknowledged downtown as a area for organized blanket coverage to harass local drivers. Ever since the access to Home Depot and Dairy Queen area have been hindered the businesses have lower sales resulting in less sales taxes. The downtown area crossed by Route 6 is a mouse trap for catching the wayward drivers who fail to use a turn signal or miss a stop sign or just fill the need for policed check point area. When the city officials decide to really do a little investigative work they will find that sales tax numbers have been greatly reduced by the over zealous police reports. People do not visit, buy or eat (let alone drink) where they are not welcome. And Peru is not a welcoming town. Mayor and Aldermen think about it, where do you go when you are looking for entertainment - It Is Not Peru!
Anon 2:47 P.M. Do you really believe that the Peru Sales tax is growing at the rate of 24%/year. Also remember that Peru raised its sales tax 1/2% a short time ago. Who reported that the sales tax is growing at a steady rate and whatever rate it is growing is that growth acceptable in comparison to other localities? I do not see growth in Peru as I see in other areas.
2:01 and 2:47 I hate to break it to you but sales taxes are at record highs for Peru. It is all on the Illinois Department of Revenue website. don't believe me just check it our tyourself. You can look back for years. Whether you like ot or not people are still coming to Peru to shop and eat. I am sure it disappoints you but Peru is doing very well.
Peru is doing well as all other towns who take their financial status without including inflation rate increases. The price of gas was at its highest for the longest time frame which is a real financial boost for government entities. People are forced to buy gas at any price, high or low. See 7:40, figures lie and liars figure which you can do easily when you have a choice of the figures you want to limit yourself to. As the surrounding area builds up i.e. the new Bek's and Unitite in LaSalle you may realize how well Peru is doing and than again you may not. As price of products increase so do sales taxes but the amount of shoppers in Peru has drastically decreased. If you do not believe so walk through any of the local stores and compare the number of people in them at the same day and time a year ago or more. Where do you think these customers are? Could it be that they travel to updated shopping areas or find the INTERNET convenient. I do know that they are not patronizing Peru businesses which have a police force who follow customers into parking lots just for not using a turn signal. This is chasing people out of Peru not attracting them and it is being done big time as anyone could see this weekend. Peru's holiday colors have become the flashing red and blue squad car lights. We have more police and not enough crimes. Our paper can back this up - how many police reports are noted in Peru.....We have a high paid police force both in dollars and cents and in physical numbers. Much more so than a city twice our size. They keep busy making sure people use their blinkers to turn into a parking lot.
28 comments:
A comment earlier this evening insisted traffic would not go on 251 to 80 and this is the reason I posted this map for those unfamiliar with the layout being discussed. Walmart and other small businesses are located on the east side of 251 and food, motels and gas stations to the west side. If the news report is accurate this is the traffic pattern.
"From Interstate 80, trucks would drive 2/3 mile north on Plank Road, turn east onto the property, unload sand, and leave to the east on E. First Road. Trucks would then travel 1.5 miles on Unytite Drive and Route 251 back to Interstate 80, clear of residential areas." Go to News Tribune for complete report.
this is still ok with me. more truck traffic equals more real jobs. This is good for Peru and good for the Illinois Valley. There is also going to be a barge terminal expansion on Water Street that will increase traffic between I80 and Water Street. This is also good.
Tonights story in the "Fish-Wrapper" shows that apparently all Peru Boards and Commissions are dysfunctional. Very entertaining to see that board members on one commission vote against something in one vote and then vote for it on the other commission or board. Gotta love Peru politics. Then this "Sand Company", with financial roots to "ENRON" comes in and sweeps these commission members off their feet with this huge transport project. Remember ENRON folks? They screwed and scammed each and every American citizen back in the 90's by manipulating energy markets and causing huge rate increases and blackouts across the country. The incompetent elected officials of Peru are doing a huge disservice to its citianes by not informing them of the environmental impact this facility will present. Harl and the aldermen are either completely ignorant of what they are about to do or they are just totally incompetent. They should welcome this company to come to Peru with the stipulation that they commit to and demonstrate that this operation will "exceed" all environmental standards for emissions/dust. If you travel thru Wisconsin on the Interstate near Chippewa Falls you will pass directly by this company' similar facility and you will see a cloud of dust encompassing the entire area. If the wind is out of the east, visibility on the Interstate is affected to various degrees. Do you think any of our local elected "Knucleheads", aka mayor, aldermen, plan commission, or zoning board members have taken the initiative to research and contact any of this company's existing facilities? I don''t believe any of them possess the skills or initiative to provide a truly "educated" opinion. Do you think Harl instructed our "Lobbyist" to provide the elected officials with a detailed report on the aspects of this type of industry? Yea, right! I'm all for new industry and good paying jobs, but Peru's elected officials are ramming this through way to fast. Why do you think Earlville took a step back to think about it. These facilities produce a tremendous amount of dust and guess what? That sand is pretty hard on roads. That dust, if not properly contained will have a huge impact on the quality of life for anyone in the surrounding area as well as the residential area of Peru when there is a strong prevailing wind from the North. Who will maintain those roads when they begin to break down as early as next summer? My guess is that Peru's elected officials will continue to have no clue what the hell they are approving and there will be no significant assurances or agreements from this company to control its emissions or provide funding for maintaind city owned roadways. Also, the company official that stated the remaining acreage they will buy would be used for "conservation" must have had his fingers crossed and his pants were definately on fire. It's going to be hilarious to watch the Peru City Council just "Ram" this deal through with no discussion or due diligence. They will all eventually pay the price next summer and beyond when the dust starts flying. Gotta love Peru politics.
We can't approach this from a NIMBY attitude. If there are extra trucks driving through the area - oh well, we just have to put up with it. That is the price for having adequate employment. Unless we want everyone selling corndogs at a tourist trap in the summer for minimum wage.
8:12 Amen and well stated. I just read an article with regards to the Chippewa Falls site and quite frankly it scares the h... out of me. I too hope we, for once, think before we vote.
No 8:28. 8:12 is right. We can have the industry and the jobs, but our elected officials must protect the health and safety of the citizens as well as the environment. These companies have the resources to capture the emissions and provide funds for maintaining the roadways they utilize.
Do not think we can't have both. We just need elected officials that have the brains and the "stones" to make it happen. Sadly, I don't see the brains or the balls.
8:12 - good raising your family on the wages from selling corndogs in the summer. Or maybe you will be the luck one and become the captain of the canal boat or possibly the Burgoomiester.
Hilarious! The yokels around here complain to the high heavens about not having jobs or opportunity. Then they complain about traffic when business starts to expand.
What about all the farmers growing corn for one purpose - to burn in your gas tank? Then they get government money to grow corn on land that should be left alone - which is exasperating the flooding issues along the river. Agriculture is has a bigger negative impact on the environment around here than anything else.
We need more sand mining. More sand transportation. More sand processing!
I just filled up the gas tank on my SUV and it was less than $50 for a full tank!
More sand = more oil = lower gas prices! I love it. Lets get this sand shipping facility running three shifts 7 days a week!
Ever since I was born, people have been saying how much better things would be if we had energy independence - well friends, now we do! Time to take advantage of it. I might even buy a bigger truck!
As long as they follow the guidelines set by the EPA I am ok with it. Our local council should not add any additional restrictions and should definitely not try to extort additional money out of them. We need the work and we need low fuel prices - period. Both will offset ANY and ALL inconveniences to our local NIMBY's that are hell bent on preventing any type of industrial expansion in LaSalle County. All they want is tourists from Chicago looking at colored leaves and stupid birds.
Why does Peru have trick or treating from 5 to 7 on a weeknight? Don't they realize that most people work until 5? At least give people a chance to get home without having to drive through a bunch of kids and parents walking through the streets. This is dangerous - trick or treating should be put off until at least 6:00 PM to give people a chance to get home. Your can tell most of the people on our council don't work a regular job so they don't think about this kind of stuff.
1:58 Before you make any more comments read the article entitled Concerned Chippewa Falls citizen and become informed and maybe just a little more educated with regards to this business. We should not be hasty.
3:31 - I did and the risk is worth the benefit.
Lois you are again misinformed. I spoke to someone who was there and the company only proposed this as one possible route. There are several things being considered and several alternatives are being looked at. You really should start attending these hearings or speak to people who can answer your questions with facts. You seem to be suggesting final decisions have been made when in fact that is not the case.
FYI:
A committee as a whole meeting is scheduled once again starting at 6:00 on Monday but don't bother to attend because it is posted "there will be no open meeting or discussions". In other words the whole 1 1/2 hours will be a closed session meeting. Why do we even label these meetings as we do because in reality they are in no way, shape, or form a "committee as a whole" meeting.
And do you live in the risk area 4:12?
.
4:28 PM
You in effect are stating that it is my responsibility to make sure that the News Tribune is publishing the truth and to accomplish that I need to attend every meeting held at the city hall and while there hold everyone in attendance to telling the truth. ??? Not sure what you are smoking. Why don't you attend and then post to the blog what you determine to be the truth.
Heard the NT is a republican PAC...vote jerry! Vote republican...it's evident in local politics democrat party is ruined!!
4:40 - absolutely. All my life. I don't plan on leaving unless the Illinois Dems tax me out.
The "closed sessions" are designed to give aldermen their "marching orders" and direct their votes on issues like the sand transport facility and other matters that Harl and the council keep secret until it' time to vote. The sand facility is a classic example of how they hold secret meetings without public participation or scrutiny until it's time to rush it onto the agenda for the pre-determined vote. Did John Q. Public hear a single word about this sand facility before this week? Not unless you're in the loop you didn't. This mayor and council has so little respect or regard for its citizens it is disgraceful. They could care less what the regular folks think and they never will as long as they are allowed to stay in office. We need elected officials with a damn clue of what their duties and responsibilities to the people really are. They should never be awarded for preventing the public from participating and observing its governemnt at work. Shameful!
6:31, the NT is far from a "Republican PAC." On the contrary, I would say if they had any preference at all it is always in favor of the incumbent - no matter the political party. Somebody said they are cheerleaders - that adequately describes their view. They generally favor government in all instances. In their eyes, the government can't do wrong and they always print that side of he story - never researching anything beyond asking the government official what they think.
Mr. 2:54 I am with you and will go one further. Trick or Treating is a thing of the past and Peru should just do away with it. Maybe have a party at the mall or the y. But, this door to door begging for candy needs to stop. First off, it is teaching kids that they can simply beg for candy and they will get it. Nope, this tradition has outlived its fun. Besides, Halloween in no longer a kids holiday. It has turned into another New Years Eve or St. Patrick's day - a night of drinking and debauchery. We need to do something about this and the best way is the BAN HALLOWEEN!
Halloween is surely not a night of drinking and debauchery in Peru as there was no traffic in the entire town Friday and Saturday evenings, and has not been for quite awhile. Does anyone know what the answer is to this?
The amount of traffic in the retail section is nil in the evenings and makes it questionable how much longer the 40 something Peru Mall can survive. It, like most other enterprises in Peru, is being ignored by city officials. They similarly have only acknowledged downtown as a area for organized blanket coverage to harass local drivers. Ever since the access to Home Depot and Dairy Queen area have been hindered the businesses have lower sales resulting in less sales taxes. The downtown area crossed by Route 6 is a mouse trap for catching the wayward drivers who fail to use a turn signal or miss a stop sign or just fill the need for policed check point area. When the city officials decide to really do a little investigative work they will find that sales tax numbers have been greatly reduced by the over zealous police reports. People do not visit, buy or eat (let alone drink) where they are not welcome. And Peru is not a welcoming town. Mayor and Aldermen think about it, where do you go when you are looking for entertainment - It Is Not Peru!
However, 2:01, it is being repeatedly reported that our sales tax seems to be growing at a steady rate of 2% per month.
Anon 2:47 P.M. Do you really believe that the Peru Sales tax is growing at the rate of 24%/year. Also remember that Peru raised its sales tax 1/2% a short time ago. Who reported that the sales tax is growing at a steady rate and whatever rate it is growing is that growth acceptable in comparison to other localities? I do not see growth in Peru as I see in other areas.
2:01 and 2:47 I hate to break it to you but sales taxes are at record highs for Peru. It is all on the Illinois Department of Revenue website. don't believe me just check it our tyourself. You can look back for years. Whether you like ot or not people are still coming to Peru to shop and eat. I am sure it disappoints you but Peru is doing very well.
7:40 I am 2:47. What makes you think it would disappoint me? I just reported on some facts and figures that have been thrown around.
Peru is doing well as all other towns who take their financial status without including inflation rate increases. The price of gas was at its highest for the longest time frame which is a real financial boost for government entities. People are forced to buy gas at any price, high or low. See 7:40, figures lie and liars figure which you can do easily when you have a choice of the figures you want to limit yourself to. As the surrounding area builds up i.e. the new Bek's and Unitite in LaSalle you may realize how well Peru is doing and than again you may not.
As price of products increase so do sales taxes but the amount of shoppers in Peru has drastically decreased. If you do not believe so walk through any of the local stores and compare the number of people in them at the same day and time a year ago or more.
Where do you think these customers are? Could it be that they travel to updated shopping areas or find the INTERNET convenient. I do know that they are not patronizing Peru businesses which have a police force who follow customers into parking lots just for not using a turn signal. This is chasing people out of Peru not attracting them and it is being done big time as anyone could see this weekend. Peru's holiday colors have become the flashing red and blue squad car lights. We have more police and not enough crimes. Our paper can back this up - how many police reports are noted in Peru.....We have a high paid police force both in dollars and cents and in physical numbers. Much more so than a city twice our size. They keep busy making sure people use their blinkers to turn into a parking lot.
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