The whole push by ASCAP is interesting because at some point I could see it hurting radio stations. As you pointed out in your posts, radio already pays to broadcast so you would think this license covers anyone listening. But with ASCAP’s new interpretation, this would mean radio is only a middle man adding another level to getting music to people. Are they going to go after people who sit in parking lots with their car radios going? (I realize that is taking it a little far, but really where do you draw the line?)

I am not an expert at music licensing but did research it in order to operate my own internet radio. To make sure you are legally operating, it can cost anywhere from $600 and on up depending on how many people are listening. And you have to manage the fee payments and documentation of what you play. Fortunately I found a service that is more reasonable than that and they handle all the licensing issues so I don’t have to. So for the same $300+ LaSalle paid, they could easily set up their own playlist, add in their own announcements, ads for local biz, and news. Then the city, and others, could broadcast this everywhere – over the internet and at their facilities. But you can see how this could then take listeners away from radio.

When I was still at the city, we looked into setting up our own radio station, perhaps in cooperation with the high school. Students could have set up and run the station allowing them to have some fun while gaining experience in many areas. But no one really wanted to pursue it. Of course, I realize there is even less of a chance of anyone doing that now. Instead they are shelling out money without really looking into the entire matter. It is in the end, as you suggested, more complicated than just paying someone $300 because they told you to.

Since we are talking about questionable spending here, any updates on how the economic developer investment is paying off? Any possible economic development (jobs, and tax revenue) coming our way because of his work?

Thanks,

Tim

Back when this blog was started you tried to point out the positive aspects of our town, when you felt others in the council meeting were down-playing the city. Yet in these last two blogs (and others) it appears you are just as guilty downplaying what Mayor Grove and some of the other alderman are trying to do. Example is the leaf vaccuum.

Mayor Grove was the first to assume responsibility on the misuse of the sewer vac in the council meeting. Like the Trib you failed to identify that in your blog. You also chose to look at this from the glass 1/2 empty standpoint rather than 1/2 full. Leaves are being picked up. There is less burning in the city. And people now have 3 options to choose from on how to get rid of their leaves. Funny how the towns around us all had leaf vaccuums these past years, and La Salle did not. I firmly believe the citizens applaud the Mayor for finally taking action, while you and Mr. Green seem intent on tieing his hands and fighting him the whole way. Start being positive as you told others to do early on. Attitude Mr. Schroeder is the key to this city recovering. Start showing a unified council. One that can work with compromise and creative input from all involved

As for the News Trib accurately covering your comments on whether you wanted the leaf system or not…I felt they did. When confronted by Mayor Grove with a straight question, you danced like a chicken on a hot stove. You came across as being more interested in a dog park than leaf pickup. Are you serious about where your priorities are at?

Finally one last thought…I too thought of former Mayor Washkowiak’s name for the road to the watewater plant. But then I realized where that road was going, and I thought this man deserves a much more prominent road than one going to a wastewater facility. You downplay the Trib not accurately covering you…I think they were trying to do you a favor in not mentioning who suggested his name. You were just too full of yourself to recognize that fact, and had to step in it on your blog. No pun intended. Maybe they should call it Schroeder Street, or Green Hill. One name has plenty of “S”‘s in it to remind everyone what goes on up there, and the other depicts what fertilizer can do for our grass.

“I was surprised to find out your city would buy a machine that old. We are in our last year of doing this (next year will be contracted out) and our machines are constantly breaking. But we do have a fully staffed/equipped mechanics shop. Even so the breakdowns cause us to get behind & you only have so much time between leaves falling & snow falling. Plus I wanted to add the actual cost is so much more than the machine. It is the labor, fuel, repair costs, and disposal costs. (Thanks for letting me add that I asked someone in the business how much a machine like yours would cost since it is used and was told about $2500. I realize people want this service, but once implemented it has high costs – much more than is being represented. Plus other services are put on hold while crews are picking up leaves. In the ‘burbs there is little choice but to pick them up since there is a burn ban here.)”

While I do agree that it would be nice for LaSalle to have a dog park,(I am a dog lover and have two of my own), I would hate to see our little park down here be turned into one. Its the only relatively safe place for our neighborhood children to play. sidewalks are non -existant down here and with the road open to traffic its dangerous for them to play in it. My neighbors and I are constantly having picnics in the grass (because they took our picnic tables away) and I can’t see us really eating next to a place where dogs pee all over. I know that it will be fenced in, and theres clean up laws for dogs, but unfortunately you can’t tell a german shepard not to pee on the way to the gate!
I DO think this park needs some work! We parents are always scanning for dangerous things that could harm our kids! The slide was only finished half way up with safety rails, and underneath is covered in poison ivy.With a little work it could be a great little town secret instead of just the neighborhoods!
I was wondering about that new park that you had the video on for a good place? It would be out of the way and a nice open area for the pups to run in fresh air!
Thanks for opening the discussion and giving us the chance to have our say!

April

Please don’t ruin our charming little neighborhood park by turning it into a ‘dog park’.
If you want to follow what Peru did you should suggest a new dog park on the outskirts of town that isn’t currently used for anything, not turn an existing park for children and young families into something for animals.
And, this area around the park is notorious for people abandoning (dumping off)their animals…dogs and cats. It would make the matter worse for us.
One more thing, if you care to drive by more often you will see that there are plently of young families who use Mary Hegle Carus Park.

Jim Hack