IDES says the largest gains came in government and leisure/hospitality, with gains of 175 and 125, respectively, while manufacturing jobs declined by 175, as did professional and business services. *Read the article in the New Tribune*
So fewer manufacturing jobs in the Illinois Valley and an increase in the "corn dog" businesses, what does this mean for the city that is putting many of our taxpayer dollars into salaries of individuals that are supposed to be bringing business to Peru. Do they mean more retail?
Is this more money spent on something that won't materialize into more new well paying jobs?
Should the city be putting more money into the regional effort which Peru is contemplating but has not joined.
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/new-economic-development-group-seeks-investors/article_8fc666ef-3cb8-5eb5-93ba-2b8c965534fa.html
All cities are in a difficult position as the state of Illinois has become one of the least desirable states for a manufacturing business to locate. For this reason many are moving across our borders to the west, north, south and east.
The long awaited banners are now up and are they good advertising or a waste of money? Notice the Peru logo is at the top but they are supposed to be advertising Route 6 by that independent Association and businesses located on that historic highway.
31 comments:
Peru wants retail in order to get more sales tax in order to pay higher salaries for government employees.
The regional tax base is eroding fast. Leisure and Hospitality will not pay the taxes necessary to sustain our requirements, let alone the expansion government.
Peru needs to take the lead and do whatever is necessary to attract light, medium, and heavy industry.
Another part of the problem in our region is the County and their intolerance toward converting agricultural land to industrial. We need to provide incentives for farmers to get out of the business and open their land for industrial development. Doing away with all subsidies for ethanol would be a good start. Increasing the property tax on agricultural land and decreasing the property tax on industrial land will also help. In other words, make it difficult to use the land to grow corn for use in ethanol production.
11:02 Is this reverse economics? Ethanol production and mining is light industry. Getting rid of agricultural land has been going on for years. Your gas prices would increase and your demand for oil will increase without ethanol production. Decreasing the tax base for industrial will increase residential taxes. Less money to spend means less retail to offset the taxes upon individuals. Your limited knowledge of macro, micro and advanced economics makes you a perfect candidate for office, in some city vey far away from your Illinois Valley. Could you be a Shiek from Saudia Arabia?
With regards to the newly displayed banners on Route 6 thru downtown Peru I feel they are distracting. There are, in my opinion, too many of them and that they are too close together. The coloring is dull and there is too much information on each one. The information is also, in my opinion, deceptive (i.e. the one in front of city hall reads "MASSAGE").
12:25 If you dont believe that City Hall has been massaging you, the tax payers, and the books for many years, I cant really help you there. That may be the most honest sign they have put out there in years.
Ethanol is currently increasing the cost of retail gasoline. Removing the mandate to use it will decrease the cost of gasoline - it is an additional ingredient that is not needed, the prices are held artificially high by government mandate, and it has a completely separate supply chain for the refiners need to manage. Net effect is higher gasoline prices.
Thanks to FRACKING technology, oil is being produced at the lowest cost ever. A gallon of gasoline today - even with the artificial inflation caused by adding ethanol, is the same as it was in 1960. In 1960 gas cost 31 cents a gallon. Today it costs $2.48. Adjusted for inflation, that is 31 cents. Oil Production in North American (including Canada and Mexico) has increased to such a degree that oil from the Saudi Arabia is not relevant. If the laws permitted it, the United States could be a net exporter of oil.
I agree that mining is industrial. We need more mining and more industrial.
LaSalle County has "county wide" zoning which was enacted in the last few years. Before approving any zone changes to property that is not included in a municipality, the county board committee reviews the suitability of the land for agricultural use. If the land does not fall below a certain rating, they do not allow rezoning of the property. In effect - they do not allow industrial development, which is why the sand miners and storage / transport companies needed to have property annexed into the nearest municipality - avoiding the County Board. That process is costly and time consuming.
Increasing the tax on agricultural land would serve as an equalization factor. The tax is so low now that rural school districts are forced to apply greater and greater increases to residential property. Decreasing the rate for industrial use would encourage development which in turn would increase economic activity resulting higher land values which in turn would result in an increase to the tax base.
I too witnessed the new banners and felt that the Route 6 emblem and the City of Peru logo along with the single words (i.e. MASSAGE, YUMMY, DELISH, ETC.) were easily visible. However, the names of the businesses that are listed on each banner were very difficult to read and could be distracting to drivers trying to read them. In my opinion, if the businesses paid to have their names placed on the banners, they got cheated.
We have a legitimate massage parlor in Peru?
I would that all massage parlors in Peru are legitimate!
11:02, there are a couple that don't advertise or bother with a license. Just like "tickets", other "things" go on in Peru just out of view of the public.
Being that the banners are supposed to encourage awareness of Route 6 in Peru and what it has to offer I'd like to hear some opinions. Do you think they were worth the roughly $200 each that the city put out? Do they make you feel welcomed and make you want to stop and shop? Do you think there's too many too close together? Is the coloring and wording easily visible as you're driving by or are they distracting because they're difficult to read?
My spouse rode down 4th Street this morning and didn't even notice them!
3:20 P.M.
A responsible driver on Rte 6 would be watching the traffic and not looking at stuff hanging from poles and that is why they are a waste of money, taxpayer dollars. Congratulate your spouse for not noticing stuff hanging on poles but instead watching the traffic, a good driver.
no taxpayer $$$..all sponsored..sorry to upset the controversy
7:11 P.M.
First the city bought the brackets and I was told that it was a joint venture between the city and the Vickery Rte 6 Assn. I will double check on that and get the figures.
Lois, then flower baskets would be a waste of money using your rational.
10:54 PM
I have no idea what you are insinuating and why bring up flower baskets, the mayor does not want them. Who reads flower baskets? They are simply a visual.
Let's share ideas for subject matter to place on additional banners along Rt. 6 that are most indicative of what Peru represents and has to offer. We can have a contest for best banner idea. I will go first.
How about, "Cheater of the Valley", and "No-Bid" or "Overtime Scandal" or "Big Expensive Christmas Tree" or "Two Lobbyists" or maybe some simple one word banners that will best describe Peru to all passer-by like "Graft" or "Sweet-Heart Deals" or my golden oldie favorite, "Corruption". Next we could pay homage to the Baker era with some time honored banners like "Rubber-Stampers" or "Patronage" or "Westclox Partners Scam". Maybe just something simple to describe some of our bumbling aldermen like "Clueless" or we could place three banners in a row in front of city hall starting at the corner next to Harl's office. In order from East to West they will read, "See No Evil", "Hear No Evil", "Speak No Evil". C'mon people, let's hear your ideas. I will share more later. This will be fun.
7:11 You are wrong. Taxpayer money was indeed used to purchase these banners. I will try to find out how much. I believe it was somewhere around $200 each that the city paid but I will try to verify that figure and post whether I was right or wrong.
7:11 Just did a quick informational check and found my proof. Read the Finance and Safety committee meeting minutes dated 4-29-15. In them you will find proof the the economic director and head of the route 6 committee Mr. Vickrey reports that each banner will cost the city $150 and that there are 55 posts which means 55 banners. It is there in black and white. Sorry to prove you wrong but I don't make statements unless I can prove them either right or wrong.
As a Rt 6 business owner I simply say thank you to Peru mayor and aldermen for trying so hard to improve our Rt 6 district. I have a few of the banners and a lot of foot traffic and have received very positive comments already. I respect everyone's right to offer opinions on this but at the same time it appears to me that there are some being made only with goal to discredit certain city officials. These banners the flower planters and the other positive things in the works are all designed to help commerce here in downtown. Yes there are many things we and the city want to do in our downtown that LaSalle is doing but we are prohibited to do because Rt 6 is state highway. The state will not allow Peru to do some of the things that LaSalle gets to do in their downtown. So if you have anything positive to say or positive suggestions please step up.
We would love to know what business is benefiting from the banners because most people I have talked with don't pay any attention to them but to their driving. Also strange to hear that you have a lot of foot traffic in downtown Peru. Give us your business name, please.
Mrs. Carroll with all due respect the details of my business are none of your business. It seems if people don't agree with your position on something you lash out at them.There are many highly successful businesses in downtown Peru. Maybe you are not a supporter and that is your choice but to imply anything to the contrary is wrong. Before you go after the Rt 6 association get some facts.
9:21 I see your point about Lasalle downtown being different with the state route, but maybe the city should check with Ottawa as their downtown has Route 23 running right through it also. Just an idea.
Without a doubt Peru Federal is the best looking well cared for and nicely landscaped business in downtown Peru and I think they do it all on their own.
Just saying 12:10 that you are little bit testy with your reply. First you brag about how great all of the banners etc and city help has been to you business and if I were going to go to that length boosting the city, I would have signed my name. It might help those who are not doing so well. After all we just had someone post about signing names making the comments more valid.
The Route 6 Tourist Association is not a city association, it is supposed to be an independent organization working wherever there is a Route 6.
Do you understand my comment?
I agree with 1210 entirely. no private business should be expected to have to name themselves here. I shop downtown as much as I can and think the banners are great. No you cant have my name.
Kohls and Walmart don't have close that fit. Downtown store in the best for the more rotund among us. Otherwise - its on-line.
What downtown store are you referring to 3:45? I don't know of any store that sells woman's clothes in downtown Peru.
they don't. there is a store that caters to larger men. or work boots if you need them. but mostly suits for fat men like me.
It's almost time for the council to approve the big weekend for Peru's elected officials and spouses. I think we need to place appropriate banners along Rt.6 to honor this annual event which is so important to our elected and appointed officials. How about,
"IML Lollapalooza", "Big City Drinks & Dinners", "Fun for Phonies"
"Meals for Deals". "Cocktails for Votes". Keep it going.
We should have the big union rat hanging on the wires at the intersection of Rt. 6 and Peoria Street.
9:02 AM, I like it. Keep it going!
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