Pool funding still an issue in Peru

The swimming pool remains a cause for debate in Peru.  City council members are ready to ask North Central Council of Governments to file the application for an IDNR grant that could fund up to 75% of the pool construction costs, but the mayor says he won’t sign the application.  The topic sparked a heated discussion during Wednesday night’s council meeting.

Mayor Scott Harl says until they have a plan to pay for the entire cost, which they’re estimating to be $3.5 million, he won’t sign the ordinance.  He wants the council to approve a funding plan.

Alderman Joe Mikyska is proposing a flat $5 monthly surcharge on utility bills.  He believes money from the charge and the grant money from the state would help them pay back a loan for $3.5 million.

The council voted and agreed to apply for the grant and use Mikyska’s funding proposal if they receive a grant that would be large enough.

Many of the council members believe the odds of receiving the grant are slim and if the grant amount would be small, they would decline the grant.

Harl doesn’t like that idea, thinking it could smear the city’s name and make them ineligible to try for an IDNR grant for at least two years.  Harl says he’ll veto the council’s vote to move forward with the grant in the next few days.

Local Mayors Pick Their Congressional Candidate

Two local mayors are putting their support behind Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson.

Halvorson’s campaign says Peru Mayor Scott Harl and Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach both endorse her in the race for the 11^th congressional district.

Harl says the Democrat has “been very good for the city of Peru”.  He says her support for renewable energy, specifically wind power for the city “has been exceptional”.

Eschbach says Halvorson helped work with FEMA to bring a new Central Intermediate School to Ottawa.  He also says Halvorson played a role putting people to work by rebuilding the waste water treatment plant and paving streets with stimulus money.

Halvorson faces Republican Adam Kinzinger.

Secretary of State official makes a stop in La Salle

It should be easier to which lobbyists are trying win-over your state lawmakers.  The Lobbyist Registration Act brings changes to how lobbyists have to report their spending with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

Starting next year, lobbyist will have to report expenditures with more detail twice a month online.

Jim Burns is the Illinois Secretary of State Inspector General.  He says you’ll be able to find the information online.

Burns says lobbyists will also be required to take an online training course once a year.

Burns made an appearance at the La Salle Driver Services Facility Wednesday morning.

LPHS issues MRSA alert

A hard-to-treat bacterial infection reportedly affecting a student at LP High School has school officials issuing an alert.  It’s MRSA, a staph infection that isn’t treated easily using antibiotics.

School officials made an announcement about the infection late yesterday and they’ve posted a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page on their homepage.

Some suggestions for preventing MRSA include keeping cuts clean and covered, washing your hands, and not sharing personal items like towels and razors.

Renewing Code Red service on Peru Council’s agenda

The Code Red emergency calling system has been put to use a few times in Peru.  City officials can decide to continue the service for another year for nearly $5,000.

It’s one of the things up for discussion at Wednesday night’s city council meeting.

The council will also hear from a homeowner in Sycamore Lake’s whose property has a mold issue.

The city council meets at 7:30pm.

Grant allowing IVCC to buy items for wind engery tech program

A couple of new items will allow students at Illinois Valley Community College learn how to repair wind turbines.

The renewable wind energy technician program is buying two mobile workstations to troubleshoot turbine problems.

A grant from the National Science Foundation is paying for the units and a virtual instrumentation suite which together cost over $167,000.