Fund could be difficult for Peru swimming pool

Peru needs to bring in more money regardless of what officials decide to do about the swimming pool.  That’s the opinion City Treasurer Gary Hylla shared with the city council Wednesday night.

Hylla laid out the possible revenue options officials could use if they decide to do major pool renovations or build a new pool.  Hylla suggests a quarter percent municipal sales tax increase to help keep the general fund balanced even if they don’t move forward with pool work.  He thinks if they used the sales tax increase to support a pool project it wouldn’t leave them much extra for the general fund.

Other options are a property tax levy increase and a monthly billing rate increase.  He estimates a $4 million pool project would make taxes on a home worth $100,000 increase by $60 a year.

He also reminds officials that they have the IEPA mandated sewer separation project that is estimated to cost up to $12 million.

The city’s attorney, Doug Schweickert bluntly told the council they can’t afford a pool, not with the sewer separation work and pension liabilities.

A motion to have a referendum on the November ballot asking voters if they want a new pool failed with most aldermen feeling like the question was too vague.

LP High School early dismissal Thur and Friday

Dr. Craig Carter,  Superintendent at LaSalle Peru High School has told AM 1220 WLPO News that LP will dismiss at 2:01pm Thursday and Friday.  This is due to the expected brutal heat.  Buses will be at the school at that time to take kids home.

Peru Sr. League Loses In Central States Final

The Peru Senior League baseball team lost a back and forth game Wednesday afternoon to an all-star team from Ohio state.

After leading 5-3 at one point, Peru fell 10-6.  They were able to reach the Central States Tournament final by beating a team from Minnesota 5-1 Wednesday morning.

Putnam County Health Department Scaling Back Hours

The state’s money problems are causing changes at the Putnam County Health Department.

The board of health has voted to decrease the health department’s hours of operation and have decided to discontinue the Family Case Management Program.  Administrator Diana Rawlings says they don’t anticipate receiving state payments anytime soon so the changes while they were tough are the most fiscally responsible action.

Health department hours in Hennepin are now 8 until 11:30 on Monday, 8 until 4 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  The office is now closed on Wednesday.

Many services are unaffected including immunization clinics.

Some Names Released With Second I-80 Crash

Names of some of the people involved in a second crash yesterday afternoon near Utica have been released.

State Police say as eastbound traffic on Interstate 80 was backed up because of an earlier accident, Rex Davis of Montpelier, Ohio crashed his semi into at least three stopped vehicles.  Two of the affected drivers are Sharon Weber of Michigan and James French of Ohio state.  A third unknown driver and his passenger were flown to Peoria.  According to one published report, the injured people are a 37 year old man and 13 year old girl from Princeton.

This accident was around a mile and a half west of the initial semi crash.

Information Released On First Of Two I-80 Accidents

Details have been released on the first of two accidents Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 80 near Utica.

Karolis Bogusas of Elmhurst was on the shoulder at mile marker 84 after he had tire troubles driving eastbound.  At about 2:10, Kevin Haeffner of Nebraska came along in his semi and crashed into Bogusas’ semi.  This caused frozen meat that Bogusas was hauling to spill onto the road backing up traffic.

Bogusas wasn’t hurt while Haeffner was taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital where he was treated and released.

Halvorson supports jobs bill, Kirk no

An emergency 26 billion dollar jobs bill that backers say will save the jobs of 300 thousand teachers, police and others passed the U.S. House after being pushed through by Democrats.  The vote was Tuesday.  It passed the Senate last week.

The measure will also provide aid for states low on cash. Republicans say voters will punish Democrats for pushing the legislation.

Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, a Democrat, voted yes while Republican Congressmen Mark Kirk, the Republican U.S. Senate Candidate voted no.

Halvorson faces Republican Challenger Adam Kinzinger in November while Kirk faces State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

More pool discussion on the agenda for Peru Council

The future of Peru’s swimming pool could be influenced by you if the city council decides to put a referendum on the November ballot.

They could decide to do that during Wednesday night’s council meeting.  Last week they asked City Treasurer Gary Hylla to come up with funding ideas if they were to spend up to $5 million for a new pool.

Hylla plans to present a proposal to the council tonight.  That could be become part of the question put before voters if the council chooses.

The council meeting is at 7:30pm.

At 7pm there will be a public hearing to talk about the city’s long-term control plan involving the sewers.

Ottawa commercials can be seen in suburban movie theaters

The latest effort to attract people to Ottawa is a 30-second ad running in west suburban movie theaters.

The Ottawa Visitor’s Center has put the add featuring Fish Stick’s N Milk’s “Ottawa Serious Fun” spoof at theaters in Joliet, Batavia, Aurora, Naperville, Warrenville and Oswego.  The song pokes fun at Ottawa’s love of Abraham Lincoln and murals among other attractions.

While the ad is just 30 seconds, the full song runs a little over three minutes and has had over 52,000 views on Youtube.