News Tribune - News - Local - More spring election petitions go out in Peru

News Tribune - News - Local - More spring election petitions go out in Peru

Double D Digs -- Indoor tennis club finds new home - My Web Times

Double D Digs -- Indoor tennis club finds new home - My Web Times

PAC fundraiser this Saturday at Centennial Park

The public is invited to attend a fundraising event at Centennial Park in Peru this Saturday October 30th from 12 Noon until 9:00 p.m. Food and refreshments will be provided for a $10.00 donation which will be used to support candidates in the upcoming April 2011 election cycle. The menu includes bratwurst, baked beans, pasta salad and deserts. Beer and soft drinks will be included as well. In addition there will be a "Fire Ring" burning for the duration of the event as a symbol of pride and unity among PAC members and all others who support quality local government. There will be Bags and Bocci-ball competition on the lawn as well. Please try to make it at some point during the day and pass the word to others who wish to support a worthy cause as well. Peru Action Committee is a grass-roots citizen group working to improve local government in Peru. We anticipate good weather and good will for all on Saturday at Centennial Park in Peru. See you there.

Will Somebody Please Explain

The Peru City Council met tonight and Mayor Harl presented his veto of the resolution - Parc 3 Resolution of Authorization passed by the city aldermen last week.

His objection to this resolution is as follows:
Failure to implement and pass ordinance to certify and acknowledge that the City of Peru has 100 percent of the funds necessary to fulfill the qualifications of this resolutions as required by the State of Illinois........ ...In closing I am not against filing for a grant for the public swimming pool, however, I choose to be fiscally responsible for the benefit of the city's future generations.

The council of 7 men voted to have the resolution put on the agenda for the next meeting to overide the Mayor's veto and the motion was brought up by Ald. Jamie Mertel of the 1st Ward.

After the meeting, I asked Ald. Potthoff and Ferrari as to who would sign the DNR request and also asked Atty Schweickert and none of them could give me an answer. The Atty said in 30 years as City Atty serving Peru, he has never encountered this.

I came home and went into the DNR web site and found their rules for applying for grant assistance and in black and white number 7 states "A signed document by the applicant verifying the applicant has the resources to initially finance and subsequently manage the project area and will comply with program regulations and indemnify the Department from any liability relative to the project and 8. a schedule of proposed expenditures/reimbursements from anticipated start through project completion.

Either someone is not reading the rules of the DNR or is just trying to make a political statement which is not adding to any credibility the members may have had.

When you ignore the rules for applying for a grant by ignoring the rules the department has set up to apply for a grant, is this rather like fraud. To knowingly submit an application with NO MONEY to fulfill the necessary obligation, how does that make you look and how does it make the city of Peru look. Not too bright in MHO anyway.

Tell me where I am wrong. And who is going to sign the PARC grant application since the Mayor will not for the above given reasons and it requires a signature.Would one of the members of the council be willing to put their name on the dotted line and accept financial responsiblity?

The mystery that is PVAS

The recent request by LaSalle to PVAS for an ambulance to be stationed in LaSalle "around the clock" is about to re-open a festering wound that had hardly begun to scab over since the issue was last brought up shortly before the last mayoral election in Peru. At that time LaSalle was simply trying to convince the PVAS Board of Directors to allow them a seat at the table. You have to remember who it is that makes up this PVAS Board. It is now and always has been comprised of Peru elected officials. That's how the by-laws of the corporation were written long ago. Don Baker designed it that way when the city of Peru took control of the previous ambulance service. In 2009 LaSalle was finally allowed a seat on the PVAS Board of Directors. Well, sort of. LaSalle was allowed to have one city official attend meetings as a "non-voting" member. At that time a compromise was reached to allow an ambulance to be stationed in LaSalle for a portion of every day and LaSalle would pay a specified amount to PVAS on a monthly basis. Baker decided to throw LaSalle a bone and they accepted. Flash forward to today and it's time to re-negotiate the deal and LaSalle wants more coverage. That sounds reasonable to me. Certainly the PVAS Board of Directors are reasonable men, aren't they? Who are these guys anyway? Let's see, there is Bob Ankiewicz, Joe Mikyska, and oh yes, my mentor and Mr. Reasonable himself Back Peddlin' Jack O'Beirne. If I am wrong about the roster of Board members I'm sure someone will correct me. The mystery that surrounds this "not for profit" corporation that is PVAS is something that I have never been able to figure out. I have a copy of the By-Laws of PVAS, Inc. that I have read and re-read that only leads you in circles in terms of what it actually is and how it is supposed to operate. The only thing you are sure of after reading the by-laws is that they were designed to give total control to the city of Peru. If you were to ask one of those Peru aldermen to explain "in detail" exactly what the PVAS is and how it is operated I believe they would be hard pressed to enlighten you. Who owns it? Who controls it's finances? Why can't LaSalle be included? Why is the city of Peru so intent on controlling the service? Why do the board of directors have to be Peru aldermen? What qualifies politicians to oversee an ambulance service? Why is there so much confusion about an ambulance service? Who is responsible for creating all the confusion and ill will between Peru and LaSalle in the first place? I want to make it clear that my comments have nothing to do with the individuals who work or volunteer at PVAS. I understand they are professionals who are doing excellent work and they have nothing to do with the political aspects of this issue. I understand the need for this vital service. However, as a citizen of Peru I hope to someday see the mystery of the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service revealed.

News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle fire chief wants ambulance in city around the clock; Contract to expire between La Salle, Peru

News Tribune - News - Local - La Salle fire chief wants ambulance in city around the clock; Contract to expire between La Salle, Peru

DNR PARC Application Requiring Prove of Funding by Peru

IML 2009 One Alderman to Convention

Hold onto Your Wallets Peru Thinks They Need More Cash

I have no doubt after tonights meeting that the majority of the Aldermen are not looking out for your best interests but only in their image and their perceived image of the city. Mayor Harl refused to sign the resolution before him regarding the building of the new pool and the application for the PARC grant from the state of Illinois. His refusal was based on the fact that DNR wants to know that the city has the funds to take on this project and then IF they are selected to receive some of the funding, they will be reimbursed. MAYBE. To say that the aldermen were irate would be kind. The Mayor knows better than to further sink the city into more debt and remember that we are somewhere around 40 million at present. We have already sunk approximately 20,000 into a pool that exists only on paper.

Ald. Mikyska is so obsessed with the image of Peru, it is hard to understand. He believes that someone will not move to our town because we lack a swimming pool and our IMAGE will be severely damaged. His suggestion for money was to add $5.00 to your utility bill each month until we have the cash.

Personally I believe that the pool went down under their watch and now we are the only Illinois Valley town to be without a pool and that is what people will remember them for. Peru has so many other problems that the pool is miniscule in comparison.

When I commented to the council that $5.00 each month could hurt those who are on a fixed income and those who are unemployed and already having difficulties, I was rudely interrupted by Ald. Potthoff telling me that they had done nothing yet regarding the increase. Sorry to tell you Dave that I sat through the whole meeting and I was well aware of what was taking place. This is the Alderman who always professes to be watching out for the residents. I guess he believes that 5.00 a month is a pittance. To him it may be but let me remind him that 5.00 might very well be the cost of a prescription or a meal.

It looks like the property tax will need to be raised to be able to continue to contribute in the needed amounts to the police pension fund. To be announced later.

Tonight after watching this performance, I could only be thankful that there will be an election in about 6 months.

IML Travel and Expense Reimbursement 9.2010

IML Convention expenses 2005 thru 2010 total $36,645.

We looked back to the previous five years for our report on this issue. Year to year average for city officials for the past five years was around $1,000 per person per year to attend the conferences. In 2009 Aldeman Mikyska was the only official to attend at a cost of $1,025. From 2005 thru 2008 there were usually seven or eight city officials in attendance each year. Lois is going to attempt to post all of the records the city provided us in order for you to view and draw your own conclusions. It appears there has never really been a proper procedure in place for expense re-imbursement. Another example of a lack of professionalism. If there was a standard form provided by the city it was not used properly by all officials all the time. So, like so many things in Peru during previous years there was no consistent policy or rules in place regarding expenses and accountability for city officials. Totals year to year are as follows, 2005 $7,300 / 2006 $9,757 / 2007 $10,236 / 2008 $8,330 / 2009 $1,025 / 2010 $5,444. In looking through some of the files you will see a number of expenses claimed and paid without proper reciepts or verification. This should never be allowed. You will see some excessive meal expenses. For Example, former Building Inspector John Micheli enjoyed a meal at "The Chicago Chop House" in 2008 that cost us $335.35. I think that qualifies as excessive. You will see that at least a couple of your aldermen like to frequent a place called "Hooters Chicago". I only go to Hooters for the Chicken Wings. You will notice that one alderman was re-imbursed for the cost of treating he and another alderman to a pricey meal one evening for a total in excess of $200 but neglected to provide any type of reciept to verify the expense. And new for 2010, you will see that some of your aldermen were a bit more conservative than they typically have been in past years on the taxpayers dime. That's a good thing, right? But others maybe not so much. So look through the files and you be the judge. The jury is still out in terms of what if any dividends may result from our elected officials attendance at this or any previous convention and if it was worth the cost to the citizens of Peru. You decide.

Rock Top Sculptures -- 'Man Through Time' sculptures proposed for Starved Rock - My Web Times

Rock Top Sculptures -- 'Man Through Time' sculptures proposed for Starved Rock - My Web Times Do you think we need some manmade designs on Starved Rock or should we leave it alone with its natural beauty. Don't we go there because of the beauty nature has given us, not some statues that would be better somewhere else. I don't see to associate cavemen and frontiersmen with Starved Rock and no one needs statues of modern man.

State eliminates grants to Streator Unlimited - My Web Times

State eliminates grants to Streator Unlimited - My Web Times

PARCgrant-programlaunch.pdf (application/pdf Object)

PARCgrant-programlaunch.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Too Many Committees, Too Many Regulations

Tonights Peru City Council meeting has emphasized the fact that there are too many committees with too many rules that are now hampering local business development in downtown Peru. Indirectly we were also shown that we have a Building Inspector who does not have a working knowledge of how to do his job. Frank Taylor  was hired as an asst. building inspector when the past inspector Wayne Kasza was hired by former Mayor Baker. He stayed on when John Micheli replaced Kasza and when Micheli was dismissed we had Frank Taylor doing the job alone with the promise of a building inspector to be hired soon. A year later and here we are with the "assistant" attempting to fill the position. There are times when you try so hard to save money that you hurt yourself in the long run and unfortunately this is what Peru has done. So before anymore screwups happen get us a qualified inspector. A better answer would be a city engineer who can do both jobs.

Most of the next story you will read in the News Trib and I won't repeat it here. There is a beauty shop in Peru by the name of  Shear Wizards (former Bob's Barber Shop) and they wish to make a small addition onto the building which they own. They have been dealing with the Zoning Board, Peru Downtown Redevelopment Committee and the Design and Review Committee and Building Inspector Frank Taylor and after 2 months have been unable to get the necessary paperwork done so that they can proceed. In frustration they attended the city council meeting to see if they could get things done so work could be done before bad weather sets in. By coming and I wish to thank them for doing so, they have shown us that we don't have a working relationship among the various city committees, inspectors and anybody else involved to get things done in an efficient, orderly manner to assist business development.

I suggest we disband the Peru Downtown Redevelopment Committee put together about 1990. It has ruled downtown development with a earth tone paint and maroon awning fist ever since.  This committee certainly has not brought business to downtown and I will suggest that their outmoded rules have actually deterred new business.

Why not a Peru Business Association formed to work in conjunction with a new building inspector.

LaSalle Jazz Fest 2010 Thanks for the Great Event

This is the second time we have gone to the JazzFest and we have thoroughly enjoyed it both times.. Lots of good food and great music. The weather even cooperated and gave them a nice warm evening.

So our thanks to all of the people who helped to plan and organize the event. It was so nice to see people of all ages together having an evening of good fun.

"We" are the answer!

Lois has posted a number of articles on this blog from local newspapers that point out the successes that arise from citizen involvement in their own local government. The common theme in all the stories is as follows. When citizens get motivated and involved things get done. It is so clear. We wonder why we have gridlock and obstructionism on our city council on the most important issues affecting our city. We wonder why many of our elected officials seem to be completely disconnected from what our priorities should be considering current financial conditions. So when we see a story of success in another community we ask ourselves, why can't we achieve such things? The answer is we can and we must. Citizen involvement is the driving force behind the majority of successful initiatives in communities around this country and we all need to embrace it and welcome it. And when I say "we", I mean everybody from the mayor on down. I know we have volunteer organizations in town who do good work. The CSO, the Lions Club, and others. Some of those organizations provide excellent community service and others are more or less self-serving as far as I'm concerned. But when it comes time for taking up a cause and seeing it through, the people are the ones who get the job done. It's really up to us. There has been much said on this blog about the importance of attending council meetings and staying informed of the issues. That still stands. But we all need to step it up a bit. There is no shortage of issues that need to be addressed. We need input and participation in so many areas in Peru. We have no downtown business association. It will take citizens to create it. We see geat potential for business and recreation opportunities on our riverfront. It will take motivated citizens to make that happen. We want bike and walking paths in some areas of town right? Instead of calling on citizens to take up the cause through volunteerism, our elected officials only response is to throw thousands more dollars at Chamlin and the project "dies" immediately after the check clears. What the hell was that? Chamlin isn't going to bring additional recreation opportunities to Peru, we are! We have so much to overcome. Including this narrow minded pattern of behavior that we have to "engineer" our way in and out of every situation. Why is that? We obviously have many elected officials who have no idea of the potential resources and energy that exists in our community just waiting to be tapped into. One of the sessions offered at the recent IML Convention focused on how elected officials can encourage and cultivate ideas and volunteers in their communities to achieve great things. I wonder if all six of our guys attended that session. I am convinced that the majority of Peru aldermen would be horrified by the very thought of calling on us citizens for anything. Furthermore, I believe if this concept was suggested to the current city council they would see it only as a threat to their "authority" and would reject it immediately. So, I ask you all. What now are we to do?

Commentary on Illinois Problems Including with Grants

http://www.donorsforum.org/s_donorsforum/bin.asp?CID=17354&DID=43463&DOC=FILE.PDF

Sex-offending doctors often left on honor system - chicagotribune.com

Sex-offending doctors often left on honor system - chicagotribune.com For your information only, I found this a very disturbing article and I think we should all be aware and alert

Welcome To Illinois: Home Of The Deadbeats | Progress Illinois

Welcome To Illinois: Home Of The Deadbeats | Progress Illinois

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru to seek grant to help build new pool

News Tribune - News - Local - Peru to seek grant to help build new pool The maximum amount available through this IDNR grant is 2.5 million and the possible pool cost at present is 3.5 million and that does not include demolition of the current structure.

State to examine billing records of other ambulance services

State to examine billing records of other ambulance services This is Iowa but I wonder if it is also happening here in Illinois. Sounds a bit familiar.

Forum: Reforms needed to stop rule by professional politicians - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com

Forum: Reforms needed to stop rule by professional politicians - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com Applying this to all levels of our government sounds good to me.

Elections for Alderman April 2010 Petitions Available Now

Petitions have been taken out by Dave Potthoff Fourth Ward, Dave Waldorf Third Ward and Jamie Mertel First Ward. For the Second Ward, petitions have been taken out by Rodney Perez, Robert Borostowski and Timothy Freed. Also former alderman Joseph Witczak has taken out a petition for the seat currently held by Dave Waldorf.

If any of you reading this blog are at all interested, you can pick up a petition at the Peru City Clerks Office during regular office hours.  If you are interested in a cooperative and working city government and think you might be able help the citizens of Peru to  achieve that goal, please stop by for your petition. Believe me there are people who will help you. What we have now is aldermen who are not interested in achieving that goal.

A Walk in the Park -- Streator seeks volunteers to beautify city - My Web Times

A Walk in the Park -- Streator seeks volunteers to beautify city - My Web Times So many people have asked why we in Peru don't have volunteers helping in the parks, I guess we need to ask the Streator SPW how to get the job done here locally.

Where is the Swimming Pool on Your List of Priorities for Peru

I had a conversation with a friend last evening and he believes that due to the fact that the alderman spent money in the amount of $2000 for a grant to be written that they believe that a new pool is very important for the IMAGE  of Peru and will find some way to finance even if the grant is not obtained.

My point was that certainly the people in Peru would not agree with that but we know that a city election is just around the corner next Spring and all those running for re-election are looking for something to hang their hat on. Some of the aldermen were very unhappy when Treasurer Hylla went public with our 41 million dollar debt.  Because as we all know city government in Peru was a very well kept secret for 40 years and no one had a clue as to the predicament we now find ourselves in.


OK now we are aware of the unpleasant financial facts and also of the fact that the pool as it stands is past history. Do you as a resident of Peru want to burden your children and even future grandchildren with the debt to finance a pool just so our IMAGE  is improved? Whatever your answer is will you let your alderman know or are you likely to just let things go on as usual.

Unless you take the time to share your opinion with them, they will assume that what they are doing is what you want of them. Stand up for what you believe and that is what I believe will improve the IMAGE of Peru.

Peru Workers Out Cleaning the City Today

Early this morning, I heard the street sweeper going by and friends tell me a lot of work is being done in the 28th Street Park sprucing the park up by cleaning out weeds and trees. How are things in your neighborhood?

Congratulations Peru Library on 100th Anniversary

Congratulations on your very successful celebration on Sunday. I had planned on attending but family matters did not allow. The write up in the paper was great and it sounds like it was a resounding success. Wish I had been there.

Thanks to the elected officials of Peru that did come and represent the city: Aldermen Ferrari, Wren and Waldorf. Nice that a former Peruvian Jim Waldorf, brother of Dave was a part of the celebration singing in the Barbershop quartet.

The weather cooperated and a great turnout showing that the people of Peru enjoy the library and appreciate all the hard work they are doing for the community.