“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

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Friday, July 26, 2013

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Free Concerts in the Illinois Valley

Concerts for a Cause which is actually a misnomer have overtaken other sources of fun, enterntainment and yes there are concerts that are free to the general public. If you interested in a few hours of fun and music, it is not necessary to spend the big dollars of attending a LaGrotto concert at the airport and have to put up with not only the expense but the hassle as well.

Certainly not referring to the big time stars, Ms Noonan brings in but many times, families and retired people do not even have the funding for those events. I guess the problem is that most of the local events throughout this whole area don't get much publicity because publicity in the newsprint because it costs money. Every small to tiny town or village in the Illinois Valley has had a "summer event". Every weekend nearby cities have had an "event". Just a few days ago, I remember reading about Ladd Daze and last week it was Lostant and Oglesby had a week long festival the week before. This week is the Depue Boat Races which included a concert by the Guy Lombardo band at Lakeside Park last night and I will testify to the enjoyable evening and saw many local Peru people there.

The events on the whole are very family friendly, so if something is still to come in the next few months, feel free to post for the rest of us to know about and perhaps attend.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Meet and greet McGraw passes raise money for the March of Dimes « AM1220 WLPO News

Meet and greet McGraw passes raise money for the March of Dimes « AM1220 WLPO News

Is this something the city of Peru should continue to be involved with? Thanks to the Miller Group the March of Dimes, the intended cause, did receive 10,000 after the concert failed to produce enough money.

Again for the next concert, it looks like bids will be taken for a chance to meet the concert performers before the concert.

Yes Peru Little League does get the cell tower money from the Washington Park tower.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Peru Pages: Harl War chest – Flush with funds, purpose unknown

Peru Pages: Harl War chest – Flush with funds, purpose unknown


All voters in Peru should be aware of the fund raising efforts of a man who was just re elected  in April.  I recently heard that the most successful mayor in La Salle Cty, Mayor Bob Eschbach of Ottawa has done no fund raising since his election and has done the best job of any mayor in the same county. Is there a correlation? I see one, he is concentrating on what is right for his town and working with the people who elected him.

When my source for this info, reads the blog, feel free to make any corrections.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Public Health and Safety Meeting July 15 Youth Center




A topic on the committee but nothing was brought to the council, perhaps something is in the works. Perhaps you know.

Photo by winsorphoto Looks SO Inviting Today

Photo by winsorphoto

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Qualifications for the Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer



These are the qualifications on the job description. Even more interesting are the job responsibilities required. The city is expecting so much more than our current employee could ever have possibly done. You can request a copy of all of this information through Kim Reese our Human Resources Person and sure it would be considered a FOIA.

Monday, July 15, 2013

The Lobbyist for Peru has been Hired and the Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer

The vote was 7 to 1 with Ald. Perez voting against the lobbyist for good reason. The gentleman has an office in Springfield and will work on unannounced projects for the city with attempts to get money from the state and/or federal government. Time will tell. The volunteer director of economic development will remain.

Sean Mikos is going to be hired as a Superintendent of Public Works Civil Engineer. I will seek a job description on that because I am not familiar with that job title. He will work with Gary Bleck starting in August. The mayor and council kept referring to him as a P.E. and not as a civil engineer, turns out that means Professional Engineer. This new person certainly has his work cut out for him. I understand he is currently employed by the city of Yorkville as a Civil Engineer.

Because I write this blog and express my opinions which are often not received well even though they are true, I must say I was not treated very courteously by some of the council members on the Public Works Committee and Ald. Radtke. I hope this video survives for viewing.

City Engineer and City Lobbyist Tonight at City Council Meeting

Will you be attending tonights city council meeting to listen to the mayors explanation of why we need this lobbyist who will be present I understand.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

IVAC, MCS, Director of Economic Development and Now We Need a Capital Lobbyist in Springfield

The city council last evening approved payment of $14,413 to Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce.
We also pay monthly to MCS $1,000 per month.
We also pay for the expenses generated by our volunteer economic director, Bob Vickery which consists of things like mileage, literature, phone expenses.

I don't know that any of the surrounding cities have a lobbyist in Springfield or not but I did find that the city of Naperville does have them. The comparison between Naperville and Peru is huge and not only in size. Perhaps we no longer no need the position of mayor.

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Agenda July 10, 2013 Peru City Council Meeting

AGENDA

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

I checked the agenda for this meeting and it consists only of routine committee reports and nothing else indicated, other than a request by IVCH to hold a picnic in a park.

Monday, July 08, 2013

Concerts for a Cause in Peru One Down 2 to Go

As I have said before the concerts mean absolutely nothing to the majority of Peru residents because they don't go to it. We don't ever hear what really happens there and we residents don't know what the cost is to the city.  The promoter and city are pretty tight lipped about it all.

As has been said before private business does not belong involved with municipal government in this manner. Too much chance of money being moved about without anyone knowing where it is going, maybe it is only "in kind" exchanges.  600 comp tickets is a pretty large number for an area this size.

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

July 4


IDOT Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program

This is the program through which Peru is seeking a grant for something they must be developing.


Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Tidbits from Last Evenings Council Meeting

The actual meeting was delayed for about 20 minutes as the Mayor immediately called for a closed session.

It appears according the the N.T. that the most important topic on the councils plate was seeking a grant from the state called Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and it is all about bicycle trails within the city and possibly linking into the already in place Kaskaskia Alliance Trail.

A detailed explanation of roads and neighborhoods to be included is available in the News Tribune.

The city is also seeking a grant to extend Wenzel Road to the Plank Rd.

Also in the plan is a 3 million dollar bridge over Route 251 at Rte 251.

I did attend the meeting prior to the council meeting about the possible annexation of properties to the west of Peru.  Atty Brandt was present as council to the owners of the Tou Rest Motel which is evidently having some issues with sewage and would benefit by hooking onto the city sewer system. At this time it would not include property along Terminal Road as there is no city sewer in place there as there evidently is along Route 6.
Further discussions will be held.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Illinois Valley Area Fireworks


June 30 Oglesby Fireworks for its Funfest @ 9:30 PM

July 3rd:
♦Morris: July 3, Grundy County Fairgrounds
♦Peru: July 3, Illinois River at Water Street

Spring Valley: July 3, Hall High School

July 4th:
♦Dwight: July 4, Dwight Elem. School
♦Henry: July 4, Illinois River waterfront
♦Leland: July 4, behind school
♦Mendota: July 4, Tri-County Fairgrounds
♦Minonk: July 4, Sutton's Park
♦Ottawa: July 4, King Field at Ottawa HS
♦Pontiac: July 4, Elks Country Club
♦Sheridan: July 4, Sheridan Elementary School
Princeton
July 5th:
♦Utica: July 5, Danny Carey Memorial Park

July 6th:
♦Streator: July 6, Streator HS football field



There will also be fireworks in  Hennepin,  and probably other Bureau County and Putnam County cities

Friday, June 28, 2013

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

One More Time Pickleball in Peru for Whom?

Last year the pickleball controversy went on and on with absolutely no effort by the city of Peru to reach an equitable compromise and even toward the end of the season they hired someone to bring in a porta potty for those unable to play without facilities nearby.

Last fall the YMCA set up a pickleball court and the players were able to keep up as much as they wanted with their sport. Ald. Potthoff the Y directory actually showed me the invoice for purchasing the nets etc.  OK it is now warm weather we now find out that not only do these people have access to the former tennis court at the 28 th Street Park at will and the courts do sit empty for many days of the week. Maybe in use at the most 50% of the time.

Today I received information that in the latest Y brochure, a listing for pickleball remains with days and times listed as shown below.

The Recreation Board insisted on a 3 year trial and were able to convince Mayor Harl and most of the alderman to go along with their whims.  My point is that this small group of people have been able to accomplish in less than one year what most people would only dream about. Now they can play indoors or outdoors without interference by the general public and the neighborhood has had their tennis courts destroyed by this small group of people. I  have never heard one good reason "why".  And to top it off the Porta Potty has returned with threats of enclosures and landscaping. We have 10,300 people in Peru who ask for no special treatment, favors or even a thank you. But a few for reasons unknown to many of us get special treatment and the rest get an in your face treatment.

Just thought that those of you who took an interest in this last year might appreciate an update.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Seeing a Pickleball Court in Your Backyard and Now an Outhouse!!

Looking from my friends backyard you can still see the former tennis court aka pickleball court and hear the shouts and yells of the pickleball players some times but the outhouse that was moved is now right smack dab in the middle of the park and close to the childrens slide once again and you can see it all day everyday. With talk of putting plants around it, I guess it might be called the Beautification of the 28th Street Park by the City of Peru.  No the volunteers are not involved in this project but the Public Works Department with the advice and consent of several members of the Recreation Board and possibly one spouse. And who knows maybe even the mayorl

Dont't we all wish we could live in such a beautiful area with such consideration for the neighborhood?

Special interests have not diminished and no sounds of disapproval from the top.

Welcome to Music Suite 408

Welcome to Music Suite 408

This is  new enterprise in Peru located  in the old Westclox building. I'm sure many Peru residents are not aware of this awesome outreach to local residents. I do plan a visit.

There is also a Facebook page for up to date information and schedules of upcoming events.