I just deleted a post because it was a vote for ___________slogan. You can say I am voting for but no vote for slogans. Take an ad out in the local news if that is what you wish to express to people. All this will get old and tiresome quick so if you have a comment, never mind the nice guy bit, just tell us how things will change for the better if elected.
It may surprise many of you that because Peru is a small town with not much to do, gossip is a pretty important activity to many and by word of mouth we all know who eats lunch with who and who is asked to come into the back room for a few words of advice. We are also are aware of political connections so don't tell us it "ain't" so. We have huge problems in Peru that those in power now are ignoring or doing only for the benefit of a few. More appointed positions and fewer hands working in important departments, these are issues in Peru. Feel free to add what you believe are problems to be solved.
From what I have read online, yes on FB where the young and younger tend to get together, I have read little that would encourage me to believe they would patronize the type of entertainment theater being considered for Peru. The salaries for most jobs in town don't have entertainment built into their budgets. Families will not be their customers and neither will the Seniors. We have not been to a movie theater more than once since the Majestic in LaSalle closed down and don't find that I am missing anything. Most people in my age bracket are not interested and that seems to be the predominate group still residing in Peru. It's all about demographics! Surprisingly most readers of the blog are in the 18 to 35 age bracket.
One more point, there is also a contest in the Third Ward.
51 comments:
In my 50 ' s and haven't been to a movie theater in 10 years.
73 here. I was told that they are in color and they talk !
Arn't the true intentions for tax usage meant for schools, government services etc. not private businesses. Will the YMCA be increased in taxes an account of this proposal. If the property is in a TIF why would the city give the movie house a double bubble?
I would rather see the city work something out with the Mall than the show. If the show was to move would it be wise ot the city and mall to move another movie corp. into Carmikes' old facilities with some additional creative financing? How about the former Amcore bank structure for a downtown movie house? Makes more sense than floating someone over a million dollars to start up a business we already have. Similar to CVS and Caseys gas station this is nothing new but a update of what alredy exists in Peru.
Campaign Strategy: Hit the bars, heard this is happening. My opinion, this is the wrong way to get votes.
@Lois: Alderman Radtke and Waldorf put the bug in Rodney's opponents ear and highly advised him not to start posting or answering the blog like Rodney and Sherry has while in office or running for office. I think that is obsured especially when these same aldermen read your blog and even comment anon. at times as I'm sure Rodney's opponent is doing.
I would sign my name but if I did I would no longer be able to get inside information as easy as I do.
There are dirty tricks being planned for Rodney and his opponent is clearly involved. They will also planning against the other two candidates. But their main focus is Rodney.
i am 60 in march and i go at least 4 times a year....so now what? Please don't categorize everyone just because you "do" whatever. i went last weekend to see American Sniper and it was at least 75% over 40? If things look bad for you, try looking in mirror and decide how to make things better. Some of us enjoy not having a lot to do, but when we want to "do" something, its here.Thank you.
I know of about 20 people who haven't been to the movies in well over 10 years and went to see American Sniper. A rarity, It was $50 for two people, tickets, soda, popcorn and one small box of candy. A large % of people with raising children can't afford to go to a movie theater. I'm in my mid 40 ' s and haven't been to the theater in over 13 years.
I bet if booze were served at this theater maybe more people would patronize it. Would not entice me. I can drink my rock and rye at home and watch a movie on netflix
the average age in the theater reflects the average age of the population. For Peru, the average age is well into their 40's.
I will look more this weekend, but I have not been able to find a singe example of this sort of incentive being offered by any other town or economic development zone.
Low interest loans are common - which I suppose this is. But "they" are not calling it that - as if they are trying to hide the particulars somehow. And adding a 7% amusement tax across the board is not fair to the people. I wonder what the bowling alley thinks about this?
Is this now the "I haven't been to a movie in 10 years" blog? Who cares? Movies are expensive everywhere. That's part of the culture and it comes down from the Hollywood distribution. Movie theaters make their money on concessions. That's how it is. I absolutely love going to the movies and though it's a little expensive it's fun. This theater is going to be great for Peru and the Illinois Valley and I'm looking forward to it.
Totally disagree with my fellow bloggers. My husband and I go regularly to the local movies as do my kids. The tax on the ticket will pay the city back for the incentive, pay for an new road and also go towards infrastructure for 6 new businesses that are following. It is a user choice tax meaning if you don't want to pay it then don't. Now I think this is a very good move for our city. When you do bad I will voice it. When you do good like this I will tell you.
Please keep doing things to make Peru the best it can be. Don't look back like some insist but look forward.
"Dinner and a Movie" places are catching on. Not sure if the local population can afford it though. I went to one in California - I think we walked out with a $300 bill for two people. granted.... prices are different out there - but when you are paying $7.50 a beer it adds up. Don't expect the $1.50 drafts we are used to at our local pub.
Have you ever gone by the mall after the mall is closed, the parking lot has a large number of cars because of the movie theaters, please your throwing figures out there of what it costs but haven't been to a show in 13 yrs. doesn't make sense. I'm in my sixties and go quite often and depending what day, the theaters bring in a lot of people. If they were doing poorly they would just close them and not look to build elsewhere.
Joliet illinois announced a couple weeks ago one of their theaters is closing by the mall on rt.30. LOOK IT UP. IT'S TRUE. IT'S BEEN THERE FOR YEARS.
Well said 7:48. It's an excellent move, and that is not counting for the people who also shop and eat dinner while they are here catching a movie.
I LOVE going to the movies. It's not just about the price. It's fun. Man, there are some sad people posting.
Moving forward!
I heard we(peru) spent over $300,000 more on a new pumper truck within the last year, then LaSalle is spending and was approved for last night. This makes me wonder why did we have to spend that much and the next town to us didnt. What story will we get?
Movie theaters were once a great way of entertainment, prior to movie rentals 25+ years ago. I think they eventually be faded out. Too many other ways that are less expensive to watch a movie. Movies can be downloaded on a laptop. Wait 6 weeks after a movie is released and a family of 4 can save 75-100$.
"..pay for an new road and also go towards infrastructure for 6 new businesses that are following.."
That is NOT true. The $865K incentive is only to pay for the actual theater and the land it sits on.
This is a free loan to a private business. Call it what it is.
If going out to watch a movie is so popular, then the business owners should be able to raise the capital to fund this project on their own.
This is not a function of government and the 7% tax on "amusements" will do more to harm the business climate in the long run.
The function of government is to get out of the way of business - NOT PAY THE WAY!
So to our Council - pull down any road blocks, don't even think about a tax, and do what is necessary to allow the business to make their move. But don't give them money!
For you "theatre-goers" who "LOVE" the activity and see it as fun and enjoyable I say, that's all well and good for you! However, please be fair and reasonable and admit that your preference is by far the most inefficient, uncomfortable, and expensive means of enjoying first run motion pictures. The fact is, your preference is rapidly becoming the least-often used means to view movies as a result of NETFLIX, ROKU, and other Internet based services. Don't get me wrong, I encourage you to hop in the old "grocery-getter" and continue to get out and enjoy a "ride up to the show". Since you can obviously afford it I am glad there will be folks just like you to pay that 7% amusement tax that will finance some of this project for the developer, theatre owner and the city of Peru. I'm sure they are very grateful for your patronage. The city of Peru has arranged to take from you exactly what they want, and my opinion is it's much better they get it from you than me. Know what I mean?
9:19 But they have built a couple of other theaters in the area over the years as well, so of course they shut an old one down. blomington-Normal has closed several old theaters in the past few years, but they have built some awesome ones like we are getting as well. You can't cherry pick a theater closing and act like this is a bad decision. The new theater is what we call progress.
Downtown movie houses went out with horses and buggies. Why would anyone invest in a one house movie complex when you can have 12 screens with different movies.
According to the market conditions there must be people willing to go to movies. All-time records in movie attendance. We are all sure that studies have been done and they will be profitable in Peru.
If you have ever been out of the area? Big movies complexes draw many with comfortable seats and bigger screens. The cost of a 1st run movie is very similar and you won't be paying more because of the new look. The concessions are excellent and the atmosphere is great. I commend those on the city council who have the vision to see this project as a positive for the city. There is only so much disposable income that everyone has and some will enjoy the Saturday night fried chicken and others will go to the movies. To say, nobody goes to the movies is pure nonsense.
9:49 You must like those concessions. Tickets for two would be about $18.00, a tub of popcorn would be about $10.00 that would feed a family of six, 2 xlarge sodas $12.00, candy about $5.00, maybe you got a big pickle for $4.00. That's about $49.00. You should of got the meal deal and you would have saved about $12.00. You probably had trouble sitting in those seats with all those goodies.
I would suggest that if your concerned about finances....go to the early show and save about $10 on those two tickets, buy the small bag on Tuesday for $4.00 and a soda for $2.00. Also stay away from the big bags of popcorn it will save you the cost of your Lipitor medicine. If you like popcorn join the bucket club and for $20 you can refill your bucket year round for $3.50.
I have not ever heard anybody complain about how expensive those slot machines are in town. And there is one of those on every corner. How many people do they employ?
All of the comments regarding the movies are thought provoking. My opinion is the city should not be involved. These land owners and developers have the money, let them spend it. They see the city as the cash cow, and figure why not ask. The city should have taken a stand from the beginning and said we would love to have a new state of the art theater, but we are not paying.
That's right folks, 100 more part time minimum wage jobs. Just what we need. That's called progressive.
It is also proposed that new restaurants will be built around this new movie theatre. Aren't we saturated with restaurants as it is now?
The debate is not the viability of a movie theater. So we should not even be talking about that.
The debate is the role of government and how far government should get in bed with a private business.
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is the number 4. cinema company in the U.S. Their stock is currently trading at $28.55 a share. Their market capitalization is $649 million (2013) - they have estimated 2014 and 2015 revenues of $700 to $800 million. Look it up, they are publically traded and this is all public information.
Point is - why is the government getting in bed with them? They are very profitable and don't need any propping up that Peru can provide. They can take advantage of the TIF because that is available for everyone - but why do we need to give them more?
I know someone will say - but what if they decide to move away. To that, I say - don't let the door hit you in the but. What difference does it make if they are in LaSalle, Peru, or Ottawa?
10:26
Your right Progress is tough to handle for some. Peru has always emphasized progress in economic development. Don Baker made this important and a few of those that he worked with during his days are still moving the city ahead. We see a lot of progress, and understand that unless you make it a priority it won't happen.
11:40 That's a good point and makes sense.
A few notes. Most of those major players in retail, cinemas, Walmart don't own the buildings. They pay a lease. Typically those who build set up private companies to manage and invest in the facilities. Movie places profits are tied to the concessions. Your stock prices are the profits from those places that create concessions.
I guess everybody wants a deal and most of those that don't own buildings want some type of incentives in the big box arena. I am sure that most places are giving something to attain these types of places. Its wasn't black and white on what our city is giving in the local newspaper. I do give them credit for looking at some type of tax to pay back those giveaways.
concerning the "Dinner and a Movie" - it was actually two couples.
What is the name of the real estate trust that will actually own the property and leas it to Carmike? DMAR LLC and this real estate trust are the ones asking for the Handout.
Might this trust include any local people? Is it to remain secret?
Only on this blog can you get ripped on for simply saying you enjoy going to the movies. Some people are completely insane.
I don't think anyone was ripped. I think some people are stating an opinion that "going to the movies" is going out of style. However, these people need to understand that experience is being constantly reinvented. I for one would like the opportunity of eating a good meal with full service, drinking a few beers, all the while watching a movie on the big screen with top notch audio. Nobody is saying that is what the plan is here - but wouldn't it be nice?
However - be advised, I DO NOT believe government should be subsidizing this. If push comes to shove, I'll have to settle for a Pizza and NETFLIX. Government does not belong in the deal.
Rumor mill says City Hall is being sued for $60,000.00 by homeowners that had their house flooded. Probably by the folks who wrote that letter to editor?
Schweickert will be the other winner in that suit. Bravo Peru! Anyone verify this, or is it another closed session deal?
Before the city government considers increasing the TIF to partnering with CarMike in a financil enterprize it has some very critical effects to consider. One being can the Peru Mall afford to lose the movie facility. The Mall has been a huge taxpayer to the city for 45 years,
If the Mall was to inquire about a like business replacement for CarMike would the city be able to help all financially for a lot less than $900,000?
Does Peru, a money making machine want to have a private business tell them how they want the city to structure taxes so they can obtain a $900,000 gift?
What kind of example is being set by increasing taxes for a private business and how receptive are the businesses whose tax is being increased and the businesses who inquire about coming to Peru?
How much will the next investor ask Peru for before they invest money within our boarders?
Remember this is not a new business but is a relocation in the same city.
Above all what is better a movie house supporting our present mall or the same movie house 2 blocks away not supporting the mall and demanding financial leverage?
7:34 PM
I heard the same and believe it to me true.
Lawsuit? Pshhhh! It's only 60,000.00 to the defendant. Then probably what? Another 5,000.00 to City Atty? Then court costs and the defendants atty. another 5,000.00?
That's only $70,000.00 that can be easily pulled from the electric fund and still have a few million to play with.
No worries!
Didn't our city attorney back in the 70 or 80 ' s live in one of the houses off Marquette rd. When homeowners had problems with their basements being flooded? Didn't the house he use to live in have issues? Are these homeowners in the lawsuit? If so, wouldn't this by any way in the court of law be a conflict of interest? And didn't our fire chief who is Co super of PA live in that same house? Or does this lawsuit pertain to a different area? If true? My friend and I were discussing this.
Without the mall theater, the mall will close. Will the theater at the mall change hands and movies will be older for $2 tickets? Could be doomsday for the mall.. sears isn't stable right now. W I th progression in 20-25 years maybe another strip mall where the mall is now.
Sears, 100 layoffs at corp. Headquarters today. The last 10 quarters a decline in revenue. Hummmm, what's going to happen to Sears in Peru? Sears gone? THEATER GONE? WHAT ELSE WILL GO? IMAGINE WHEN THE WHOLE MALL WILL BECOME EMPTY. Jobs lost.....
How did this controvery start and why is the city involved in the flooding of a home? Is this the home that the city attorney told the couple that he advised them to see a attorney?
So are people saying the Mall is to big to fail and that the Government needs to bail this business out somehow?
Hogwash! If the owners can't continue to stay in business without the government interfering in the market, they should shut down.
Word to the wise leadership in Peru - While the economy is reasonably good, you need to pass a few ordinances regarding empty commercial buildings. If something like the mall shuts down and the building sits empty for a long period of time, we can't allow the owners to skip town without tearing down the building.
The city needs to take care of the basic government functions instead of funding private enterprise.
I think Peru's retail district is now capable of standing on its own. We do not need to drop our shorts anymore.
This is a fundamental problem in Illinois. The big guys dictate terms to local governments, and local government leaders are either to stupid to realize they are being taking down a path or they are corrupt and gaining personally from the enterprise.
We are very close sifting from capitalism to National Socialism. Combine that with ever more frequent usurpation of constitutional rights and things are not looking good for the average Joe.
there are two basic issues that I can determine. One, the movement of the new theater will benefit the Peru school district since presently the theater is located in Dimmick school district. No business in Peru pays taxes to the Peru School district that is north of wenzel road. These business' all pay to the Dimmick school. Second, (2 parter) is where else will local movie goers go to see movies. what other alternatives are there. there are local theaters in princeton,ottawa, that are no real competition to the mega theater proposed. From what distance/population centers will this new mega-theater draw from. Most of these new mega-theaters are around and hour plus away. Naperville, Peoria, Sterling, Quad cities, Bloomington, Rockford. My uneducated guess is we will draw population from 25 minutes or so, those farther out will gravitate towards the closer venues. Do we have a viable population to support the new mega venue? Looking at a map the demographics do not really change. The local movie house draws basically from Mendota to Streater and from Ottawa to Princeton. There just isn't that much population base to support this mega venue population wise. Maybe around 100,000 probably less. So what other motivation is there to put this new venue here. (the second part of this question) TAXES! Rarely has a tax been enacted that did not have an expiration date, been rescinded. Notice how in this community taxes have been foisted on the local taxpayers. The new school was given a sales tax to use to pay for their new school in peru, while two not one present buildings are to be left fallow by the local school district. Now the school wants to keep using this tax to pay for the second new building. Two buildings gone two new buildings built, when repair/upkeep of the present facilities would have been a third of the cost. It appears to this blogger that the city has found yet another way to sneak a new tax in on the denizens of the area. Is it stipulated when this tax will be repealed? or will this new tax be incorporated into the coffers of Peru once it has fulfilled it's original use. Summing up, We are a small city of 10,000. What business do we have of building this venue here. These types of business' are almost always located with population areas 3-4 times larger to draw from. That is why this tax is being imposed. we are trying to replace a functional service with a newer larger unaffordable service that may or may not increase local patronage. And what does it matter to the theater if you view locally or drive an hour, they still get the revenue. This is not a mom and pop enterprise. we are in cahoots with a large multinational entity that gets paid either way, except the local yokels here want bigger hoping it will be better place to "experience" the movie, but just in case it's not, we better tax them for it mentality. Overall i think this is not a wise decision as i believe you will squeeze out the people that actually see a movie as a treat and have to save and budget carefully to do this. Those are the people that will get hurt. Those that are regular attenders will always enjoy this type of amusement, those that pinch pennies will have to choose wiser in order to continue these treats. Once again, it is those that can afford it least that will bear the brunt of big business, local government.
11:40 AM & 12:59 PM make very good points. Most Peru residents see a story in the Fish-Wrapper about a new theatre and think to themselves "Oh, isn't that nice. Hey Honey, there's gonna be a new show up by the K-Mart". "Hmmmm, our city sure is doing great things for us folks". Very few Peru citizens will take a close look at this amusement tax and the details of land deal for the same reason they don't look too closely at anything that takes place in Peru government. They are apathetic and uninterested. They will never become interested in this theatre story because the Fish-Wrapper provided only a basic description of what really is a fairly complicated arrangement between several faceless entities with unfamiliar sounding names and some sort of development deal. Few will take the time to think it through. For those of us who are willing to scratch the surface and do a little research we find the city of Peru being "used" to provide capital to a developer. This capital will enable profits to the developer to be "enhanced" at the expense of future movie-goers. Scratch the surface a little deeper and you realize that Peru's elected officials were an "easy mark"(as they have been in the past, and as they are currently in the sand facility negotiations) for the skilled lawyers and ruthless developers behind the deal. Bottom line is very few people pay close attention to these deals that Peru's officials are so ill prepared and unqualified to participate in. Harl and the aldermen count on the fact that public scrutiny of these "arrangements" will be limited to a few blog posts at most. We can only wonder what a qualified and competent City Manager would think of such a deal. I wonder!
The city gives a developer 900,000.00 to build a theatre. The city will receive 7% of the ticket price. Assuming the theatre sell 1000 tickets a week and the average price for a ticket is 10.00. The city will be paid back the principle in 25 years. This the deal our brain trusts are considering. I am making some assumtions and I hope the city has the figures and projections but this sounds like a bad deal.
This whole incentive "thing" is a SCAM, pure and simple. Wouldn't the locals that put their blood, sweat, and tears into their property and businesses love to have been "incentivized"?? I know a lot of business owners that would love to have been thrown a few "crumbs" to help their businesses grow and in some cases survive. Why do we have to kiss the ass of BIG BUSINESS??? Just like government...business runs the government, NOT the people we elect. Very tired of supporting the "big guys" and letting the locals struggle to stay alive!
So does the city just write a check for $900,000, and who do they write it to? Does the check if it is written go to DMAR LLC?
10:09 - it goes to the nameless "real estate consortium" that was mentioned in the article. Boss Harl and his mindless minions on the council will never let you know the people are behind the Consortium.
Now lets get down to the the stupid questions, the "nitty gritty" of the way to get things done and serve the best interests of Peru.
How many have taken the necessary steps of:
*Calling Mayor Harl and discussing the theatre dilemna?
*Calling your alderman and other aldermaen and representation personally to exchange viewpoints of the theatre situation?
*Calling Senator Rezin and Representative Mautino to see if they have been involved and what they could do to help our city officials make the best of decisions?
I have not called any of those I have included in my questions either and know I should. To exchange comments on a blog is very beneficial to the progress of a city but to inform those who have the responsibilities of managing a city are just as if not more important. The exchange of ideas is a wonderful starting point and is a great motivator, the call is the method of accomplishment and should be utilized for input into all city decisions.
Putting the shoe on the other foot we have to acknowledge that it is awful hard to represent when those who you represent never inform to what they personally would like done. This is true of all city activity.
Hello All, Let me first say I hope people read this....I know it's months after the fact, but I want to speak my peace. We travel from about 40 miles to go to Peru to see a movie, yes, often. When we come we always stop at Hyvee, Big Lots, Kohls, Target and sometimes other places too. (Walgreens, Walmart). We eat in Peru, by gas in Peru and spend sometimes 100's of dollars in Peru. This past week we went to see Avengers. The cost was NO different then that of nice theater in Chicago, Naperville, Plainfield or Plano. HOWEVER, has anyone seen the condition of this place? it's horrid. Ceiling tiles missing, water leaks, stains on tiles, old uncomfortable seats, and décor straight out of the 1970's. When we lived in Coal City and wanted to go see a movie, we had to go to Joliet. Then a new theater was set to be built. (1996). Everyone said, no, we don't want it, we don't need it. We can't afford it, this that and the other......well, here we are, 2015 and this theater is booming. (I-80 and Route 47). Let me say this. Your community, our community needs this theater. It will draw more people in to see movies. More jobs, more income to local businesses, etc. Yes, part time jobs, but it's better then NO TIME jobs. It's progress folks, and with progress comes a bright future. I have read every comment and it's from 50 something year olds who could care less about a movie theater. Well, I am 50 and I CARE, my daughter is 24 and she cares, along with her friends. Let me tell you what she said.. I wish they would build a new theater there, it would be a nice place to hang for the evening, it's a dump" What they do now is pack up and drive to Peoria or the Quad Cities, and spend their money there. You want to attract young people? Older people? And in between? Build it... They will come. I remember the sign the new theater in Morris put up in the cornfield prior to the opening and breaking ground. It said, "If you build it, they will come" and that they did. Yes, it's an old line from a movie, but it worked. Keep up the old thinking and the community never grows. Everyone moans about roads, and vacant buildings, but when it comes time to pay for it, they sit back and say fix it, build it, but I wont pay a dime...keep up that mentality and it will be a town of old folks sitting around complaining and DOING NOTHING...we want young people to come out to our towns, and help them prosper again. Without development this will not happen.
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