Peru pool condition report upsets some and raises questions

Point out something’s flaws and you’re bound to stir the pot.  An existing conditions draft report on the Peru swimming pool upset council members and people who were the council meeting Monday night.

The city earlier this year hired Williams Architects to study and report on what needs to be done to the pool, mainly because it looses thousands of gallons of water each season.

Alderman Jack O’Beirne called the report pathetic and said it was filled with mistakes.

The report detailed problems with the pool, bathhouse and concession stand, including Americans with Disabilities Act and the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool Act.  It didn’t touch on the water leakage problems.

That upset several of the aldermen.  But people in the audience and Alderman Ron Wren were concerned about what it means for opening the pool for another season.  Wren wondered if they would be at risk if they opened the pool.

The discussion was moved to a community room, but much was said in the hallway, where people continue to debate what the city should do next.

Architects will be back with another report, this one examining the water leakage issue and possible suggestions.  Exactly when that will be completed, they couldn’t say.

No action was taken to reverse an earlier council move to open the pool for the summer.

Operation PROM-ise participants receive plaques

http://ping.fm/p/e9WfC – Peru council recognizes students and others for Operation Prom-ise

The weekend of LP High School’s prom was a quiet one, police wise.  A mock-crash video and presentation is being credited with making sure it was that way.

Operation PROM-ise was presented to students the week before prom last month.  It was organized by Peru Fire Fighter Rodney Perez.  The Peru City Council Monday night presented Perez, the participating students, parents and emergency responders with plaques.

The short video was also viewed before the start of the meeting.

New Ottawa YMCA Executive Director

The Ottawa YMCA has a new woman in charge.

The Y Board of Directors today picked Rikki Nevins of Ottawa to be the new executive director.  She was picked from 47 original applicants.  Nevins first day on the job is May 24^th.

She replaces retiring director Richard Escutia.  He is staying on through the transition process.

Curb project bids and swimming pool topics for Peru Council meeting

Peru will find out how much they’ll be spending for new curbs.  They’re opening bids for the curb program at Monday’s city council meeting.  Before that they’re recognizing the fire fighters and students who participated in the anti-drunken driving presentation Operation Prom-ise and hearing the latest on their outdoor pool.

The Peru City Council meets at 7:30pm Monday.

Alcohol suspected in crash in Spring Valley

Drunken driving is suspected in crash that shut down a stretch of Route 89 in Spring Valley.

Police say Matthew Taliani of Spring Valley was heading north near the Walmart Distribution Center Saturday night when he hit an oncoming pick-up truck.

Taliani had to be extricated from his car before being taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital.  His condition wasn’t known.

The man driving the pickup, Larry Bickett of Spring Valley was also taken to the hospital.  He was treated and released.  Two men with him weren’t hurt.

Taliani was arrested for DUI and improper lane usage.

Trailer explodes in rural Earlville

Did the cooler temperatures have you turning on the heat this past weekend?  Investigators say a trailer in rural Earlville exploded while a man was trying to light a heater.  It happened Sunday morning.

Fire departments from Leland and Somonauk responded.  The two people who were home were able to get out of the trailer.  They were taken to the Valley West Hospital in Sandwich.  One man had a burn on his arm.