Election Season - Petitions Being Circulated

Very short council meeting tonight with treats (bags of popcorn) provided by our city clerk.
Several petitions were circulated among the audience, prior to the city council meeting, including people running for township offices. Travis Nelson for Twp. Clerk, Art Rigby, Mary Landsiedel, Edward Mitchell and I believe one more, for the trustee positions.
Mike Sapienza from the 3rd Ward is planning on running against Ald. Bob Ankiewicz.

Mike Hart will be running for Mayor against Mayor Scott Harl.

Justen Loger will be running for Alderman in the Fourth against Jim Lukosus.

These gentlemen were all present at the meeting.

I was told that as of now there are 4 petitions out for the 2 Aldermans seat in the First Ward.

Vortex Aquatic Structures | Splashpads create a central gathering point for families while providing an exciting aquatic play activity for kids!

Vortex Aquatic Structures | Splashpads create a central gathering point for families while providing an exciting aquatic play activity for kids!

This is what we should be talking about because so many children could be enjoying summer play Not Pickleball.

. Pickleball either needs to be moved or shut down entirely if the players continue to insist on their way or the highway.

Please be sure to watch the short video of the newly created Splash Park in Cottage Grove MN that is embedded in this article. I have been watching this city since they decided to build the new Splash Pad.

News Tribune Open Forum Election Comment on Circuit Clerk Candidate

For the complete comment, visit the News Tribune October 29 2012


Candidate Bob Vickrey has misleading advertisements; one stating “It’s about the millions owed to you” … uncollected fines do not go back to the taxpayers. They’re allocated into specific funds and the largest being the general fund.
Vickrey claims his office management skills experience is what is needed for this position. His reason for resigning from the Illinois Gaming Board:
“Chicago Tribune” Jan. 7, 2000: “The amount of paperwork that I was reviewing every week was voluminous. It was overwhelming in size.” If paperwork was overwhelming, why would he even consider running for Circuit Clerk? That’s like a carpenter objecting to using a hammer and nails.
Vickrey received rebuke for his actions on the Illinois Gaming Board for dubious dealing with Jack Binon a “casino mogul… of a trait of poor business practices regulatory violations, and financial manipulations.”
Mr. Vickrey, were you not asked by Gov. Ryan to step down?
“Chicago Tribune Nov. 21, 2002: “Ryan’s old-style practice of appointing political pals in places where they just don’t belong … Vickrey had no previous connection to the university and no expertise in higher education.”
WGN Radio Aug. 7, 2009: Gov. Quinn asked for all U of I trustees to submit resignation letters. “The Tribune found that trustees meddled in the applications process nearly 100 times in three years. Some applicants, including trustee’s relatives, were admitted over the objections of admissions staff.”

Historic site opens exhibit of weird antiques in Metamora

Historic site opens exhibit of weird antiques

Peru IL - Public Property Meeting 10/22/2012 Pickleball

City of Peru Illinois City Council Meeting Videos - City of Peru, Illinois 61354

City of Peru Illinois City Council Meeting Videos - City of Peru, Illinois 61354

Public Property Mtg October 22, 2012 Pickleball

Thanks to Alderman Sherry Mayszak for the excellent job you did in presenting your comments to the Public Property Committee. It was very apparent, she did her homework in calling companies for prices about relining courts for pickleball vs tennis. Also for checking out parks for suitability in an impartial manner. Her suggestion to use Sunset next year and Washington Park in 2014 met with immediate resistance.

The players said that the courts at Sunset Park would not work because they were not the right size to build 4 pickleball courts on. I do know that the courts are not used or hardly used for tennis. I am hoping the video will clarify this issue with regard to dimensions. Ald. Ankiewicz objected to Sunset and when asked by Ald. Mayszak why, he was not agreeable to sharing the noisy game with residents in other parts of town. Upon questioning, he made the statement that he wished to see it left at the 28th St Park in spite of the problems with the location. In his words, there were only a few naysayers to that location. He wished to have it at that location next summer, period.

The pickleball players were agreeable to an enlarged or added on court to Washington Park but complaints were made that the tennis courts are used by both LP and St Bede for tennis and unless the additional court is built the players would be interfering with that use.

I think the most memorable comment came from Jim Grabowski after Ald. Perez reminded him that the video he put on the internet showed pickleball being portable and able to be played on streets and parking lots. Grabowski then stood up and said he wished to comment on that and at that point he said "I am offended that you think I should play in a parking lot or street". Make your own judgement on that comment. The words may not be exact but the jist of the comment is accurate.

Peru Indiana City Council Feb 2012

There is a little delay at the beginning of the video. How do other cities conduct their council meetings, how do they interact with the public and common city problems.
I found the interaction between the Mayor, the council and the audience like a breath of fresh air. Notice no one that came to the podium were asked for their addresses.

Since our meetings have been recorded but not available yet, I thought you might enjoy a look at a "sister" city called Peru.

The Lowline Park

The Lowline Park

This post is for the believers and some non believers in solar power.  The ideas that have taken place with this project are amazing. Nice pictures and very interesting.

Taken From Ald Rodney Perez Facebook Page

Illinois Municipal League Conference (IML)
October 18th-20th was the 99th Annual Conference in Chicago where public officials throughout Illinois spend three days attending very informational one hour break-out sessions such as: Preparing for Video Gaming, Retail Economic Development, How to Resolve Council Wars and Power-Plays,Law enforcement training (synthetics) Understanding Prevailing Wage, Emergency Preparedness, Pension Reform Update, Effective Communication, Redeveloping Distressed Properties, OMA and FOIA Rules, ETC.
Several sessions take place at the same time, giving each official an opportunity to attend which session would best benefit them.
Attendees from Peru: Mayor Harl, Treasurer Hylla, Chief Bernabei, and Aldermen: Waldorf, Ferrari, Lukosus, Perez, and Radtke.
Few of the most popular sessions were:
Preparing for Video Gaming- Rules and Enforcement with Gaming License Holders; for example: Number of machines an establishment can have on premises- Liquor Pourers can have up to 5 machines, Non Liquor pourers can’t hold a gaming license; Exemption to this rule are Truck Stops which truck stops can have up to 3 machines.
Revenue a Municipality collects is 5% which can be used for anything that the municipality chooses to spend it on. These funds can’t be swept by the state and spent elsewhere; 30% the state collects places 25% into a Capital Improvement Account, then the State Comptroller pays 5% to the local municipality. Each municipality receives those funds each month following the collection. In addition 35% collected goes to Terminal Operator, then 35% to the location. The Gaming Board will be posting by location the amount generated by each establishment.
Qualifications to obtain a Gaming License are stricter than those who hold a liquor license. If an establishment for any reason loses a liquor license, automatically loses the gaming license.
Note: for more information on Video Gaming can be found on the IML website (look for the Gaming License link)

Pension Reform- Police, Fire and IMRF discussions. The difference between the two tier system: The new tier went into effect January 1st. 2011 which brought major changes such as Funding requirements- Quazi IMRF style enforcement for contributions, Actuarial Services area, Investment Return Assumptions, Salary Progression, etc.
Discussions also included Pension sweeteners, along with the State Legislation Constitutional Amendment Referendum on the November Ballot. Everyone voting must research this amendment... This is on the ballot.

Council Wars and Power Plays- Was another favorite of mine. Listening to others asking questions of what takes place amongst their fellow members and meetings, were very interesting.

This was the week of the Illinois Municipal Mtg Chicago

I do wonder how many of our officials in Peru went to Chicago to attend some of the meetings scheduled for the Illinois Municipal League Convention held each year. I also wonder how much we will hear about what they might have discussed and thought would be good for Peru. Last year about one half of the council went and no one word was said publicly about what took place. Very disappointing to think the city pays for the cost and they do not think it is important to come back to the council with some new ideas of what is working in other cities.

AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012
ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 2012
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 17, 2012
REPORTS
ANNUAL STATEMENT OF THE CITY TREASURER FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING APRIL 30, 2012
TREASURER’S REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
CITY CLERK’S REPORT OF CASH RECEIVED FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
GENERAL FUND AND MISCELLANEOUS FUND REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
SALES, HOME RULE, AND TELECOMMUNICATION TAX RECEIPTS FOR JULY 2012
COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)
DISBURSEMENTS for October 24, 2012
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
ELECTRIC FINANCIAL REPORT for September 2012
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS REPORT for September 2012
WATER & SEWER FINANCIAL REPORT for September 2012
Authorize Superintendent Gary Bleck to place a sealed bid for a used tandem dump truck per
budgeted amount
Authorize bid letting for new transformer with LTC for the Peru Rail Substation
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez
(Fire & Police, ESDA, Health)
PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending October 13, 2012
PERU VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICE ACTIVITY SUMMARY for September 2012
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
PERU PUBLIC LIBRARY CASH ACCOUNTS SUMMARY for September 2012
PERU RECREATION FUND CASH ACCOUNTS SUMMARY for September 2012
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH T.J. LAMBRECHT CONSTRUCTION,
INC. CONCERNING COMBINATION SEWER PROJECT AREAS 4 AND 6 PROJECT
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE
ILLINOIS OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER AND CITY OF PERU REGARDING ACCESS TO THE
COMPTROLLER’S LOCAL DEBT RECOVERY PROGRAM
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT

Public Property Committee Monday 10/22/12

AGENDA
PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: 1901 4TH STREET
ROLL CALL: Alderman Ankiewicz, Alderman Mayszak
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 17, 2012
II. NEW BUSINESS
III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
· Discuss pickleball
· Discuss sale of landfill property
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
V. CLOSED SESSION
MEETINGS WHERE SETTING THE PRICE FOR SALE OR LEASE OF
REAL ESTATE OWNED BY THE PUBLIC BODY IS BEING
CONSIDERED
VI. ADJOURNMENT

Splash Pad Home

Splash Pad Home
 Building their second splash pad

Ok I Needed a Laugh

Vortex Aquatic Structures | First solar powered Vortex Splashpad® will be built in Houston's Fifth Ward.

Vortex Aquatic Structures | First solar powered Vortex Splashpad® will be built in Houston's Fifth Ward.

Peru begins videotaping council meetings NT Article

10/18/2012 5:46:00 AM Peru begins videotaping council meetings

Jeff Dankert Staff Writer A small camera mounted on the ceiling of the Peru City Council chamber Wednesday night recorded the meeting, a first for the city. Although several officials Wednesday said the camera was “live,” it only recorded video and sound and would later be posted to the city’s website, City Clerk Dave Bartley said after the meeting. Bartley said he’s not sure how soon Wednesday’s council meeting would be posted to the city’s site, www.peru.il.us. Last month the council approved updating the city’s website to allow viewing of city council meeting video recordings. It also approved a $1,545 contract with Connecting Point Computer Centers to record council meetings and to post them. Other business: Þ The City Clerk’s office plans to buy software for $10,000 to archive and make a website database available to the public for all city meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions and other documents, Bartley said. Þ Sealed bids for a contract to finish demolishing the oldPeruelectric plant onWater Streetare due by 10 a.m. Nov. 9. Þ There will be a public hearing at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 regarding the city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from the Environmental Protection Agency for operation and maintenance of its combined sewer overflow system. Þ A police training and gun range will open next spring at the city’s west-end sewage plant. Work began a year ago using drug fine money and city labor, police chief Doug Bernabei said. “Officers are really excited to train on the site,” he said. Þ The old swimming pool inWashingtonParkshould be demolished before winter, according to public works superintendent Gary Bleck. Þ The council received a resignation letter from Tom Stuart on the recreation commission. Mayor Scott Harl said he would take letters of interest from citizens for the position through Nov. 19 and would appoint someone by December or January. Þ Alderman Dave Potthoff of the Accounts and Finance Committee said the city will soon receive actuarial tables on pensions and the committee will share those with the council in the coming weeks. Potthoff referenced state statute that says cities must levy an annual tax “... sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 90 percent of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund by the end of municipal fiscal year 2040 ....”

Not Political But What is Happening to Our Food Supply

Just ignore if not interested but this was the fastest way for me to get this video out to those who might be interested. It is long probably about an hour, so if this is not  of interest, just go on by. I have always had an interest in Nutrition and a concern about what agribusiness might be doing to our food supply. I recently removed all wheat from my families diet and it has led to a further interest in having good food for them..

Anon ....THE DECEPTION OF PICKLE BALL CONTINUES: According to the April 4th city council minutes listed above alderman A. states and I quote "that the courts will be double striped to accommodate both tennis and pickle ball". According to the April 10th recreation committee minutes president Hartman is quoted as stating "the portable pickle ball nets would then remain up permanently and be welded or fastened with cable to the existing fence." According to the May 16th council minutes, in which Mr. Grabowski is recognized as a recreation commission member, he is quoted as stating "that the nets and supports will not be permanent." In conclusion: Is this how they do it when they want to push their agenda through? How can the average Joe possibly fight this? Do they have to attend each and every meeting?

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04/10/2012 Meeting, City Hall
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by Bryan Hartman, President. Board members in
attendance were, Bryan Hartman, Janice Grabowski, Ray Zborowski, Ron Kelsey, Tom Stuart,
along with Lynda Kasik, Recreation Director. Absent was John Deisbeck.
Guests in attendance were Mayor Scott Harl, Alderman Bob Ankiewicz, Jim Grabowski,
representing the Pickleball Ambassadors, Larry Weide, Matt Lamps and Ron Keeney. The
Recreation Commission was informed by Mayor Harl that Mr. Weide, Mr. Lamps and Mr.
Keeney have all sent applications or letters of interest to him requesting placement on the Peru
Recreation Commission filling the vacancy from the recent resignation of Barbara Pyszka. The
three candidates were present to observe our meeting at the request of Mayor Harl.
Speakers: Bryan introduced Jim Grabowski as a Representative of the newly formed Pickleball
Ambassador’s Club. Jim proceeded to update the Commission and guests of his progress since
he last addressed our Commission on 1/10/12. At that meeting the Commission authorized Mr.
Grabowski to initiate a Pickleball program in Peru and to order supplies necessary to conduct
clinics and leagues. The equipment was ordered on 3/14/12 (invoice here filed). The cost for
the equipment was invoiced at $1224.00. The Peru Recreation Commission issued a check to
PickleballPaddlesPlus.com for $1224.00 on March 28, 2012 (5 Nets $725./ 20 Paddles $359./ 6
dozen Balls $140./ Total $1224.00.) Mr. Grabowski took delivery of the equipment on March
21, 2012 and, following the direction of the Commission, set up the portable Pickleball nets and
experimented with tension, playability and proximity of net play. To fulfill his promise to the
Commission to promote Pickleball, along with donating his time to run the initial clinics, a flyer
was approved and placed on the City’s website. Also, the Recreation phone has an
informational announcement for Pickleball. Jim provided his credentials for
coaching/conducting the Pickleball clinics (here filed). He also announced that the Pickleball
clinics will not begin until the resurfacing project is complete. The Commission was informed by
U.S. Tennis Court Construction Co. that they require 8 straight days of temperatures not dipping
below 50 degrees to apply their resurfacing product. Jim then provided the Commission with
diagrams for placing 4 Pickleball Courts on one tennis court. On Monday, 4/9/12, U.S. Tennis
Court Construction Co was in Peru preparing the courts for resurfacing. They assured our
Commission that there would be no problem placing four Pickleball courts on the tennis court
at 28th Street Park.
Bryan then led a discussion on converting the 28th Street Park tennis court to four Pickleball
courts and striping it accordingly. The portable Pickleball nets would then remain up
permanently and be welded or fastened with cables to the existing fence. This would allow
Citizens to play anytime without having to assemble or store the nets. If the program is not
successful after three years the court could be converted back to a tennis court. After weighing
the pros and cons Ray made a motion to convert the 28th Street Park Tennis Court to four
Pickleball courts, seconded by Ron, motion unanimously approved. Jim Grabowski then
completed his presentation by stating that he spoke to numerous Pickleball Ambassadors from
Illinois, Michigan, and Arizona, who informed him that these Ambassador Groups travel within
their communities setting up Pickleball clinics and leagues. They all feel the success of a
Pickleball program lies in giving free introductory lessons/clinics. They travel with their own
Paddles and Balls for participants to use free of charge. They do all of the organization and
promotion. Jim presented Bryan Hartman with a check for $500 representing the Pickleball
Ambassador’s Club to purchase the 20 new Paddles and 6 dozen new Balls. Jim explained this
would enable his volunteers to run clinics and leagues. He explained it would eliminate the cost
of a storage box, possible theft of the equipment, and confusion over managing and distributing
the equipment. Following discussion a motion was made by Tom Stuart to accept the Pickleball
Ambassador’s Clubs offer to purchase the new paddles and balls for $500, funds to be
deposited into the Recreation Fund Account. Motion was seconded by Ray and unanimously
approved.

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Click on the above copy to enlarge and read.

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1067-regular-meeting-minutes-4-4-12 (application/pdf Object)

1067-regular-meeting-minutes-4-4-12 (application/pdf Object)

Sometimes it is good to look back and see if they  did what they said would be done

Peru Recreation Board 10/9/12 Part 3

Peru Recreation Board 10/9/12 Part 2

Peru Rec Board Meeting 10.09.2012

When Has a City Committee Reached Its Level of Incompetence

I just listened to a recording of the Recreation Committee Meeting and I am finding it unbelievable the arrogance that this committee has reached. They don't have to answer questions, they don't have to be responsible to residents and they don't have to abide by the OMA and now they don't have to conduct their meetings according to Roberts Rules of Order. A video will soon be posted. As stated in a previous post anyone with a personal or pecuniary interest that is on a committee should recuse themselves. Bryan Hartman's answer to that resident was and I quote "that is your opinion and not the opinion of this Board. Ald. Radtke defended this position and so that makes unaware of proper procedure also.

The Illinois Central Bridge Song by Ray Tutaj Jr.

2012 Pickleball Summer Results

This is the paper read at the Recreation Board Meeting last evening October 9, 2012

La Salle council grabs territory, discusses leaves - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

La Salle council grabs territory, discusses leaves - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

This is interesting because I believe the Cleer family has a Peru address and I do know that they worked for the Harl campaign last time around.
Also interesting is their effort to get money from negligent landlords.  I know Peru does not like to admit we have those problems, but we do and it is not getting any better. Seems our building inspector is short of time and too much work to do.
Should leaf vacuuming be a shared project between the 2 cities since it is a short term problem each year?

Personal Observations of Tonights Recreation Board Meeting

The Peru Recreation Board held their monthly meeting this evening. I had previously posted their agenda and quite a few people decided to attend. The pickleball ambassador gave his speech and told us how successful the program was, he simply read off a prepared paper and took no questions and the President of the Recreation Board said he did not need to answer because he was a guest. Well, fortunately I sat right behind Jim Grabowski, the designated pickleball ambassador for the night. I made a few comments to him and I guess he must have very bad hearing as he did not even turn his head, must be from the whistling sound of that pickleball whizzing by his head all the time. A while later in order to get his attention and ask for a copy of the speech he had just presented, I tapped him on the arm to get his attention and ask him if he had a extra copy. No response, now he is either a programmed robot or an arrogant person who gets special treatment, because he then got up and walked out without saying one word to anyone and several people then said to me, Did I see the smirk on his face? You could not miss it.

Also early on when the discussion on pickleball was taking place, I said I thought that Mrs Janice Grabowski, should recuse herself from the discussion and decisions because she has a vested interest in the topic as her husband is the pickleball ambassador. The board said she did not need to because it did not involve money. It is standard procedure in any meeting situation for someone with an interest, monetarily or otherwise, to recuse themselves as a matter of courtesy. Would you consider this committee to be defiant or not? We mentioned that Ald. Potthoff always recuses himself from votes that might be in conflict with his position on the YMCA as a matter of proper procedure and courtesy during Peru City Council Meetings.

The Recreation Board then made the announcement that the Pickleball Program had been a success this summer and they would continue it for 2 more years.Neighbors protested and President Bryan Hartman said with a smirk, that it was over and done with and he would take no more comments.  In the next breath, he said that it was now in the hands of the Public Property Committee, it would be there decision.

I reminded the board that this is an election year and  all this would make very good topics to discuss.  On the hot seat regarding this will be Ald. Bob Ankiewicz of the third ward, chairman of the Public Property committee who will have an opponent this next election and Ald. Ferrari who is also up for election this coming election in April and he is supposed to be representing all the people in the first but he only takes care of his favorite pickleball players and the neighbors, well the neighbors he is not interested in helping them, not even a tiny bit, so it is beginning to look like there will be at least 2 more running in the first. Ald. Radtke was never interested in representing people in the first ward and have no clue why he thought he would make a good alderman, he had me fooled.

Again this board tried to pull a fast one, by opening the fireworks bids, even though it was not on the agenda. After protests from the audience that it was not legal, they decided to table it until next month.  I will be watching them very closely and once again they proved they do not understand the responsibilities of their positions. By the first of January, they will all have to have taken and passed the test on the open meetings act.  I don't know for sure how many, if any have done this yet.  The results have to be on file at the city clerks office.

A position will be opening up on this board, because Tom Stuart is going to step down.  If you are interested, watch for the announcement and  submit your name.

10/8/2012 9:14:00 AM Open Forum: Peru lacks appropriate memorial to honor those who served

Most Americans, city, state and national respect and honor our veterans. We view it on television and hear it on our local radio stations on occasions such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, honoring a World War II veteran or paying respect to a serviceman killed while fighting for our country. More than likely we all are related to or know someone who has served in the military. The NewsTribune places a flag close to the name of a veteran who has died in his or her obituary and the veterans groups do a great job saluting our veterans at funerals.
Recently in our local NewsTribune there was an article and two photos of the dedication of the Veterans Memorial in the small town of Troy Grove. The article told of how a person by the name of Shane Bice spent his summer seeking volunteers and donations to help make the memorial a reality, and with much success. Many people gathered for the dedication. What a tremendous job! 147 names of veterans either currently serving or who have served in the past.
I have toured some of our surrounding towns including Oglesby, Spring Valley, Marseilles, Ladd and Ottawa and have admired their memorial walls of names of those veterans who have served as far back as World War I, a star by those who gave their lives. I can’t help but wonder, and it bothers me, why the city of Peru has never created a memorial wall for those from this city who have served in the many wars our citizens have served or given their lives for. I realize in the year 2010 Peru celebrated 175 years with a parade and the dedication of a memorial in Veterans Park depicting the different branches of service.
However in my estimation that is not a memorial wall. Just what would it take to get this done?
Esther Sparks
Peru

It Is Now October and Fireworks is not on the Agenda

"Discussion then turned to the fireworks bidding process. Perez said he has learned in
talking with various pyrotechnic companies that in order to get a bid from a fireworks
company who would have July 3 of the following year available to do a display, the bid
process must be started in late September of the preceding year, not March of the next
year. Lukosus suggested asking Ron Kelsey, who is the member of the Recreation
Commission who handles the fireworks bidding process, to come to a Public Property
meeting so the process could be explained. Ankiewicz said he would tell Mr. Kelsey of
the need to bid in September. It was decided to leave the fireworks bidding process off of
the proposed ordinance, but Mayszak noted that if this process is not followed this year,
this ordinance will be changed again to add that wording."

This is taken from the minutes of the Public Property meeting of July 30, 2012 when there was an animated discussion about whether we should seek the greatest number of pyrotechnic companies to bid  in order to get the best price and fireworks display. It was decided at that meeting to have the bids in by October and opened in October at the Recreation Meeting in October.  This is the month and I do not see anything on the agenda about fireworks. Will this be covered up once again and the culprit will be who?

Recreation Meeting October 9 Pickleball Concerts for a Cause

PERU RECREATION COMMISSION
AGENDA for Monthly Meeting, October 9, 2012, 6:30pm, City Hall, 1901 4th Street, Peru
1. Call to order by President, Bryan Hartman
2. Guests: Linda Dzierzynski and local Pickleball Ambassadors
3. Reading of the Minutes of the last meeting
4. Treasury Report
5. Communications
6. Unfinished Business
7. Discussion on the first PickleBall season and subsequent motion
8. Discussion on participation with Concerts for a Cause
9. New Business
10. Next Meeting
11. Adjournment

This is a Video of a Council Meeting and Venture Drive, Few Weeks Ago

Listen to the tone of the Mayors voice and that of the "status quo" aldermen. The is the meeting in which the Dairy Queen manager tried to present the petition.
This was audio taped and it took a lot of people including me to get this up and running. I am very much an amateur at these you tube uploads.  Thank you to all that helped.

FOIA Requests - City of Peru, Illinois 61354

FOIA Requests - City of Peru, Illinois 61354

Park & Recreation Trades Magazine : October 2012

Park & Recreation Trades Magazine : October 2012

We Ask Once Again

Again and again the question seems to be coming up prior to votes being taken at our city council meetings. Aldermen speak up and say "but we just got the information tonight, can we table until next week". Now I don't believe for one minute that Aldermen Mayszak and Perez are the only ones who are not getting the proper information to make an intelligent and informed decision.
Lets go back to last week and the vote on MCS advertising for the city of Peru. I believe it was Ald. Perez who asked that the vote be postponed as he had not had enough time to read through the information. At that meeting Ald. Mayzak voted that they should go with a shorter plan assuming it would cost less and that would also prevent us from entering into a long term contract with a company just starting on this type of work even though they have been in business for a long time. Tonight Ald. Mayszak took some time to explain how she was again not given all the information on MCS and because of that, she based her vote on what she currently had been given and found out later it was not complete.
Ald. Potthoff and Radtke from the Finance Committee did have all the information because they were the ones who had chosen this company and had discussed it at their committee meetings. The remainder of the aldermen did not and based their vote only on what was presented that night and the little bit information they were given. With that information you might say that the remaining 4 aldermen either were talked to by the Finance Com or were given information the others did not get or they just blindly followed Ald. Potthoff and Radtke assuming it was not necessary for them to know any more, because the Finance Committee had already approved it. So just go with the flow.
Ald. Perez pointed out that La Salle which was given the same presentation tabled it for 2 weeks so the all the aldermen could check into the information.

I have to relate this one incident because Alderman Waldorf is ALWAYS frowning at us if we in the audience say something to each other during the meeting and tonight I found out that the reason he lets us know about it is because we are women who do question what is going on with the council.. He was reminded tonight that a number of gentlemen at the meeting were quite talkative during the mtg and he doesn't seem disturbed by that at all and his answer was a big laugh. It was an in your face laugh at that. Somehow Ald. Waldorf the people of Peru are going to have the last laugh on you and many of them will be women.

Peru Pages: Harl Election War Chest Expands to $26,796

Peru Pages: Harl Election War Chest Expands to $26,796

This seems to be the easiest way to answer the donation to campaign question.

Is Anon a Valid Signature?

Most people hesitate to sign their name to questions and comments and some people choose to criticize them for not signing their name. What are legitimate reasons and when do you feel comfortable about signing your name? I realize this is a small area and if people don't know you, they may have at least know someone who does. I received a post that came in at 12:20 PM on Oct 1, 2012 and this is an excerpt.

Anonymous said...

8:32

I judge the quality of blogs on the information presented. Many of the best political blogs are primarily anonymous. Although I applaud many who put their names along side their posts, I am well aware of the history of retribution in the Illinois Valley. Anonymity protects the free flow of dialogue and information, protects city workers who need their jobs but want to speak out on corruption issues, and allows multiple commentators to utilize ISP scrambling protocols and programs to track for illegal monitoring/tracking by government and the like. There are many bogus and angry posts, but there are also many good suggestions and directions for people to complain and investigate through freedom of information. And the posts can also be the starting point for quality investigative journalism to take over.

On the compromise side, it also publicizes many compromise or alternate positions that those who are in power might consider and modify. In general, it fills its purpose as described at the side of the blog. The government officials do not participate in the blog because they rarely even address the possibility they could be making a mistake and become defensive at the slightest suggestion something may be wrong.

Evidently it is an accepted practice in the world of blogging and do people just want to freely and comfortably blog about their feelings.