A former Peru Elderwoman is taking a referendum to a municipal swimming pool in the hope of putting a referendum on the November 2024 polling.
Sherry Meszak said that she has been working on a referendum since the final decline.
“I started gathering information in September,” he said.
Meszak stated that he believes that a pool would be a great extra for the community as it is a safe and fun activity for children to enjoy.
“It gives children something to do so,” he said. “It will be seen somewhere. It is good for families.”
She said that she visits La Sail Pool with her granddaughters, who lives in Visconsin in this summer, but it was a crowd.
“It was such a pack that we could not really enjoy it,” he said. “I mean they are a kind of young, so I had to be really careful with them and so I think it’s time to return a pool for Peru.”
Mayszak said that it contacted the Illinois State Board of Elections to find out how much signature he would need for the petition and when it is needed, it should be turned on.
An election official said, “To be placed on a ballot for a referendum, a person needs registered voters to collect 8% of the total votes kept for the governor in the last election and they have to convert them into those on 5 August.”
Mayszak said that it requires the signature of 331 registered voters for the referendum on the November polling.
It will be said in the referendum: “Will Peru city construct and operate a municipal swimming pool funded by the use of Hotel/Motal Tax?”
However, even though Meszak gets a referendum on the ballot and it passes, it is non-comprehensive. This means that Peru cannot still build a pool, but it will put political pressure on the council, he said.
“If people pass it,” said Meszak. “How can you say no? You represent people and your people are telling you that they want pools.”
City Clerk Dave Bartley brought a referendum on Monday during the petition and communication part of the Peru City Council meeting, as he received a request to receive a request from Meszac that he put the utility bill in the bill to remove Word and Solicit Resident Feedback.
Bartley said that the city regularly makes inserts in utility bills, many of which promote the activities of the city which are not the necessary city functions, but they wanted the council’s opinion before proceeding.
“Usually, I am not very stingy about inserts,” he said. “If they benefit the community and they benefit non-profit groups. But, I am just trying to receive some response from the council and is it more political.”
Corporate lawyer Scott Shwikart was asked his opinion on the matter and said that he did not have one on the matter.
The referendum was not an agenda item, so Bartley said that he could send more information because inserting is not meant to go out in the bills for next month or two.
“I can send you a draft that is being asked,” he said. “And then you guys can give me some response. Perhaps we can discuss it in a committee meeting.”
Alderman Bob Tieman asked Bartley to clarify what the meszak utility was looking to include in the bill.
“This is the interpretation of money,” Bartley said. “So, knowing that additional hotels/motal taxes have been collected. Knowing that hotels/motal tax funds are sometimes allocated for functions or activities in the city that promote tourism.”
Hotel/Motal Tax was increased to 4.7% to 7% in June 2022.
Mayor Ken Kolovsky asked Bartley whether the cost would be to be put in the city. Bartley said that there is no cost. Whoever requested to insert, however, it has to be prepared.
Kolowski told Bartley that each of each Elderman was inserted and they would read it to approve or reject the insert.
Meanwhile, Bartley said that he would investigate to see if there is something inserted that would allow state rules.
For more information about the referendum, go to friends and family for Peru Pool Facebook page.