West Peoria Residents' Association

   Summer is always a special time for West Peorians to enjoy our great outdoor events that, also, provide us the opportunity to visit with our neighbors. The last of this summer's events will be the second concert sponsored by the West Peoria Residents' Association and the Peoria Park District at Franciscan Park.  This concert, featuring the Peoria Pops Dixieland Band, will be held on August 8, starting at 4:30 p.m.   Bring your family and friends, some lawn chairs, and a picnic basket with food and drinks to enjoy this concert at West Peoria's very own park.

   The first of these concerts, featuring the Peoria Pops Swing Band, was held on July 11. Earlier this summer, West Peoria sponsored the Jamboree Run, which was to be followed later in the day by the Jamboree; but, unfortunately, the jamboree itself was cancelled by stormy weather.  However, unlike last year, this year a beautiful morning of sunshine provided a perfect day for the West Peoria Fourth of July parade.

   Even when there are no planned events in West Peoria, we can all enjoy the day and our great community by greeting our neighbors and viewing all the flowers in bloom as we walk the friendly West Peoria streets and shop at our local businesses.

   I especially want to take this opportunity to thank the following people who helped with the WPRA's Fourth of July float this year:  Maggie Moore, Bob De Sutter, Jim McCarter, the John Klohr family, John Fehl, Loretta Fehl, and Henry Strube. 

   Thousands of people enjoyed West Peoria's parade and left, very aware that our community knows how to celebrate the best of America. Over ninety parade entries from West Peoria and from nearby towns joined together in this strong, proud, well-organized tribute to our nation.

   Once again, I would like to invite West Peorians who have not yet joined the WPRA this year to join us and to help out with our projects.  This year we have a record of over 223 WPRA memberships.

   Also, please join us for our monthly meetings.  Our May WPRA meeting featured a great discussion about streetlights in our city with participation from Ameren officials, West Peoria Lighting District officials, Senator Dave Koehler, Representative Jehan Gordon, City Council members, Township officials, and our citizens.

   The discussion included ideas about ways to improve energy efficiency and to save taxpayer dollars.  We shared opinions about where to invest funds to make West Peoria a better community.  The following week-in response to this dialogue-the WPRA Board voted to use the funds from a possible state grant to the WPRA to provide the West Peoria Lighting District with the money for new lights on Sterling Hill when road construction begins for the much needed repairs to this area. 

   Also, the WPRA Board voted to donate $200 to the West Peoria Lions Club-to help with the funds needed to send two children to Camp Lions at East Bay Camp, Bloomington, Illinois, this summer. 

   The WPRA will continue its efforts to help our local public school, Calvin Coolidge, become the best technologically-equipped school in the area with new computers for the student computer lab. District 150 officials recognize that our neighborhood is motivated to make Calvin Coolidge the best middle school in Peoria and the area. We believe that well-equipped, high quality schools are absolutely crucial to keep families involved in West Peoria and in District 150. I am pleased to announce that District 150 has found additional grant monies to purchase almost half of the nearly thirty new computers needed for students at Calvin Coolidge.   Anyone who wishes to help in this effort or wants more information, please contact me or Beth Gilbert, our Education Committee Chair.

   In closing, please take a moment to think about the time you are willing to give to West Peoria.  We can use your help with gardening (the Beautification Committee), planning events (Social Activities Committee), improving our local schools (Education Committee), and/or serving on the WPRA Board of Directors. Of course, we want your membership dues, but we also need your time and your ideas. Just contact any of the board members, either by email, on our website, by letter, or by phone. The WPRA will work to find a way to help you to become active and to get involved. In return, you will be even more satisfied when you say to your friends that you live and participate in making West Peoria a better place to live.