Winfield warned again about meeting procedure - DailyHerald.com
Just like Peru!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Do You Play Horseshoes?
Anybody remember an area at Centennial Park where residents could play horseshoes? The Mayor is interested.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Condolences to Alderman Perez and His Family
I personally and I believe many of the readers would like to extend condolences to the Perez family upon the death of their father Bob Perez, former Peru fire fighter. He passed away with his very close and loving family at his side after a very courageous struggle with Lou Gehrigs disease.
Sending prayers for the family at this very difficult time.
Sending prayers for the family at this very difficult time.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Village of Naplate wants to control firefighter funds
01/24/2013, 10:27 pm
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Steve Stout, steves@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4082
In an attempt to control the purse strings of the Naplate Fire Department, the village board has filed a civil lawsuit against the volunteer unit and two of its officers to take away its funds.
Individually named in the suit, which seeks to freeze and ultimately transfer all fire department accounts to the village board, were Fire Chief David Parrott and the department treasurer, Chris Backos.
Parrott told The Times Thursday the Naplate fire organization historically has "always controlled" all finances within the department, including payment responsibilities for fuel, maintenance, training and the majority of equipment purchases.
"We have worked and raised all of these funds (which total about $121,000) ourselves, and we volunteers — who are paid nothing for our services to protect our neighbors — feel our money should simply remain under our control like it always has been," Parrott said.
Assistant Chief Mike Whitney agreed.
"We have taken not a dime of taxpayers' money to run this department in our nearly 65 years of existence," he said. "In all of that time, we support ourselves through donations from a grateful public or government grants. This money is the department's and does not belong to the village (or its general fund)."
The suit acknowledges beginning last year, "certain disputes have arisen between the (about 25) volunteer firemen, including the chief and treasurer, and the duly elected village council of the Village of Naplate. These have included, but not limited to, the management and handling of funds designated for fire department purposes."
Last September, every Naplate Fire Department member tendered resignations because of an undisclosed conflict with the village board and Mayor Jim Rick. Naplate officials did not accept the resignations, and the firefighters have continued, since that time, to answer every emergency call.
The suit claims, because of the ongoing animosity between the volunteers and the board, "the village is in actual fear that there will be large amounts spent without village approval in the immediate future, and the only safeguard for public fund(s) being spent for public purposes is a temporary restraining order and injunction."
Whitney said the immediate expenditure question was answered recently by Circuit Judge Eugene Daugherity, who ruled the Naplate village clerk as well as fire department officers must all sign for checks to pay regular monthly bills during the duration of the court case.
Contacted for further explanation on the suit, Naplate Village Attorney Paul Martin, of Ottawa, had no comment.
Martin, in the complaint he filed on behalf of the village on Dec. 12, said "the village and its officials must have control of those accounts, which are municipal funds, to include them in the village audit, and, for all lawful purposes as would be necessary for the expenditures of village funds, but the Plaintiff (the village) currently has no recourse other than this litigation."
Rick, who was a Naplate volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years and was the chief during half of his tenure, did not return phone calls about the litigation.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, in Ottawa's downtown courthouse.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Comment on the Mike Hart Meet and Greet January 20
As many of you know I worked to help elect Scott Harl as did numerous others of the community. We believed all his promises and waited for them to happen, particularly the public forums where he would listen to our concerns as residents of this city. If memory serves me right he had one or two public forums, strictly controlled by Mayor Harl and only aspects of his proposed road program could be discussed. Nothing else and once he got his program through the council, he certainly had no need to hear from any of the residents again.
And now the contrast:
On Sunday Mike Hart had a Meet and Greet the Candidate at the Peru Eagles. The day was cold and many folks are still ill with the flu and other winter illnesses but he had a nice crowd of interested people. I was particularly impressed that he not only visited with the people but took time to hold a question and answer Public Forum, no limitations and no controlled topics. If it was on your mind, he took the time to tell you what he thought. Mike will do a repeat of this again and hopefully with better weather even more people will avail themselves of the opportunity to meet him.
And now the contrast:
On Sunday Mike Hart had a Meet and Greet the Candidate at the Peru Eagles. The day was cold and many folks are still ill with the flu and other winter illnesses but he had a nice crowd of interested people. I was particularly impressed that he not only visited with the people but took time to hold a question and answer Public Forum, no limitations and no controlled topics. If it was on your mind, he took the time to tell you what he thought. Mike will do a repeat of this again and hopefully with better weather even more people will avail themselves of the opportunity to meet him.
No Agreement on Operation Promise
Word I am getting is that there was no agreement on how Ald. Perez would fund Operation Promise and from what I hear, another city will be asked to take it over. Peru stumbles again.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Ice skating rink in Riverhead ready to go — minus the ice | Riverhead News Review
Ice skating rink in Riverhead ready to go — minus the ice | Riverhead News Review
Another town same story, same type of ice rink, is there a better answer?
Another town same story, same type of ice rink, is there a better answer?
County Tax Hike or Tax Initiative It Is All The Same
In November, the exact same question failed at the ballot box by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent. That 8 percent difference equated to exactly 3,600 votes, a margin local school officials believe can be overcome.
If passed, school districts would be limited to using the new revenue for infrastructure projects and to pay off existing school bonds.
But not everyone is convinced schools need the added revenue.
One online group called “Vote NO on La Salle County Sales Tax” on Facebook already has begun to issue statements against the second sales tax initiative.
The page has received hundreds of views and dozens of comments from people pledging to vote against the tax hike. Streator resident William Phelan, who is running for a seat on Streator City Council, created the page.
Phelan recently posted that groups steering the sales tax ballot drive may try to mislead voters by calling it the “One Cent Sales Initiative” to keep the word “tax” out of the title.
“There is a fair amount of support for this tax in Streator in part because the elementary district is in horrendous financial shape,” Phelan wrote. “The district wants to pass this tax, but even if it does, and even if it had passed last fall, the district has been so irresponsible with its money and contracts that it might be forced to cut all extracurriculars, band, art, athletics, and more. This tax cannot stop that. That is not my opinion. That is straight from the mouth of the superintendent who favors this tax.
“Too many schools have been unwilling to make the tough financial decisions that must be made in these economic times,” Phelan continued. “It is irresponsible to ask for more money when they have proven they can't properly allocate what they already have. It would be a drag on our economy and, with history as our indicator, it would lead to further financial mismanagement.”
Kevin Caufield can be reached at (815) 223-3206 Ext. 132 or countyreporter@newstrib.com.
If passed, school districts would be limited to using the new revenue for infrastructure projects and to pay off existing school bonds.
But not everyone is convinced schools need the added revenue.
One online group called “Vote NO on La Salle County Sales Tax” on Facebook already has begun to issue statements against the second sales tax initiative.
The page has received hundreds of views and dozens of comments from people pledging to vote against the tax hike. Streator resident William Phelan, who is running for a seat on Streator City Council, created the page.
Phelan recently posted that groups steering the sales tax ballot drive may try to mislead voters by calling it the “One Cent Sales Initiative” to keep the word “tax” out of the title.
“There is a fair amount of support for this tax in Streator in part because the elementary district is in horrendous financial shape,” Phelan wrote. “The district wants to pass this tax, but even if it does, and even if it had passed last fall, the district has been so irresponsible with its money and contracts that it might be forced to cut all extracurriculars, band, art, athletics, and more. This tax cannot stop that. That is not my opinion. That is straight from the mouth of the superintendent who favors this tax.
“Too many schools have been unwilling to make the tough financial decisions that must be made in these economic times,” Phelan continued. “It is irresponsible to ask for more money when they have proven they can't properly allocate what they already have. It would be a drag on our economy and, with history as our indicator, it would lead to further financial mismanagement.”
Kevin Caufield can be reached at (815) 223-3206 Ext. 132 or countyreporter@newstrib.com.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Scott Harl Flashback to Comments Made after the election in "09
Scott Harl
Looks like the Mayor has turned his back on his commitment to citizen participation in a big way. ScottHarlpic
Local 150 Members Wins Mayoral Race In Peru Illinois
The 44-year reign of Peru Mayor Don Baker has ended because of what he called "dirty politics" and the first term of challenger Scott Harl is about to begin on his campaign message that "it's time for a change."
Voters decidedly tossed out Baker. He earned 39 percent to Harl's 45 percent and challenger Dave Potthoff's 16 percent. Voter turnout was 51.4 percent.
By 7:15 p.m. the Harl and Baker camps had learned the results by checking posted printouts at precincts. Harl stepped outside of the noisy Eagles Club, where his victory party was in full swing, to speak with the NewsTribune.
"It's very fulfilling to see the hard work that we've done in this campaign has paid off," Harl said. "I truly believe it was not because of me. It's because they wanted it and they felt they needed it. Let's face it. No one would have worked this hard for one single person. I just want to let the city of Peru know that if I'm not living up to their expectations - theirs and
mine - to please let me know. I will strive for citizen participation."
Harl said he respects the legacy of Baker.
Looks like the Mayor has turned his back on his commitment to citizen participation in a big way. ScottHarlpic
Local 150 Members Wins Mayoral Race In Peru Illinois
The 44-year reign of Peru Mayor Don Baker has ended because of what he called "dirty politics" and the first term of challenger Scott Harl is about to begin on his campaign message that "it's time for a change."
Voters decidedly tossed out Baker. He earned 39 percent to Harl's 45 percent and challenger Dave Potthoff's 16 percent. Voter turnout was 51.4 percent.
By 7:15 p.m. the Harl and Baker camps had learned the results by checking posted printouts at precincts. Harl stepped outside of the noisy Eagles Club, where his victory party was in full swing, to speak with the NewsTribune.
"It's very fulfilling to see the hard work that we've done in this campaign has paid off," Harl said. "I truly believe it was not because of me. It's because they wanted it and they felt they needed it. Let's face it. No one would have worked this hard for one single person. I just want to let the city of Peru know that if I'm not living up to their expectations - theirs and
mine - to please let me know. I will strive for citizen participation."
Harl said he respects the legacy of Baker.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Visit With Mike Hart at the Eagles TODAY
Mayoral candidate Mike Hart will be holding a Meet and Greet at the Peru Eagles (west end of town ) from 1 to 4 this afternoon.
Take a few minutes this cold afternoon to meet Mike and chat with him.
Take a few minutes this cold afternoon to meet Mike and chat with him.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Springfield Gives Okay For Hall High School Borrowing Plan
Posted by wlpo on January 19, 2013
Governor Pat Quinn has signed off on allowing Hall High School to borrow 32 million dollars for a new school.
The governor signed a bill sponsored by State Senator Sue Rezin and State Representative Frank Mautino that gives Hall the okay to issue bonds not to exceed 32 million dollars. Taxpayers in the school district will have the final say by voting in April whether or not to issue the bonds.
According to school officials, a Hall taxpayer with a 100 thousand dollar home will pay over 23 dollars more per month in property taxes for 30 years if the referendum passes. School board members are going after grant money which could lessen the tax burden.
If the April referendum fails, Hall officials say they’ll renovate the current high school for 18 million dollars.
Ok this is not Peru and it is not even in our county but first of all "deadbeat Illinois" is giving a school district the right to go out for bonds for 32 million which will add to every home owners tax bill in the amount of $23.00 per month equaling $276.00 per year on a $100,000 home and I do believe Bureau Cty has fairly high tax rates already, information I received from a friend years ago. Cut that in half because $50,000 home is probably more common and still that would be paying an extra $138 dollars per year. I get the feeling that there are people making decisions everywhere that don't have a clue as to what the average family homeowner problems are in todays economy. I would bet that there are families that could not handle this increase.
WAKE UP SCHOOL DISTRICTS, this is not Winnetka Grant money, the state can't pay its own bills, we have the worst debt of all states in the entire United States.
Posted by wlpo on January 19, 2013
Governor Pat Quinn has signed off on allowing Hall High School to borrow 32 million dollars for a new school.
The governor signed a bill sponsored by State Senator Sue Rezin and State Representative Frank Mautino that gives Hall the okay to issue bonds not to exceed 32 million dollars. Taxpayers in the school district will have the final say by voting in April whether or not to issue the bonds.
According to school officials, a Hall taxpayer with a 100 thousand dollar home will pay over 23 dollars more per month in property taxes for 30 years if the referendum passes. School board members are going after grant money which could lessen the tax burden.
If the April referendum fails, Hall officials say they’ll renovate the current high school for 18 million dollars.
Ok this is not Peru and it is not even in our county but first of all "deadbeat Illinois" is giving a school district the right to go out for bonds for 32 million which will add to every home owners tax bill in the amount of $23.00 per month equaling $276.00 per year on a $100,000 home and I do believe Bureau Cty has fairly high tax rates already, information I received from a friend years ago. Cut that in half because $50,000 home is probably more common and still that would be paying an extra $138 dollars per year. I get the feeling that there are people making decisions everywhere that don't have a clue as to what the average family homeowner problems are in todays economy. I would bet that there are families that could not handle this increase.
WAKE UP SCHOOL DISTRICTS, this is not Winnetka Grant money, the state can't pay its own bills, we have the worst debt of all states in the entire United States.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Cost of Watching Television in the Illinois Valley
OK, the price of everything is going up and we are starting to feel the pinch. And yet LP wants to spend millions on a sports complex and Hall H.S. wants a new building and Cherry has NO money and will close their school district.
Who is going to pay for all these expenditures?
My husband was all set to pay our Comcast TV bill and wow, wait a minute the cost went from 67.23 to 76.82 and included in that is an additional charge for the boxes when they initially changed their service from free to 1.99 per box per month. This is for the basic extended service. This has to hit many families, seniors and those with children.
Is it legal to tell you something is free and 2 years later they decide to charge you?
From garbage, to the grocery store, expenses are increasing. Yet we as a city are not watching our expenses and I don't need to enumerate those as you are well aware of the waste. I am waiting and watching and waiting for city hall to say, We can't afford that new truck, that ice rink and bambini and next year when we go out for fireworks, we will NOT offer $20,000 but instead let them bid and tell us how low cost their company fireworks are.
Who is going to pay for all these expenditures?
My husband was all set to pay our Comcast TV bill and wow, wait a minute the cost went from 67.23 to 76.82 and included in that is an additional charge for the boxes when they initially changed their service from free to 1.99 per box per month. This is for the basic extended service. This has to hit many families, seniors and those with children.
Is it legal to tell you something is free and 2 years later they decide to charge you?
From garbage, to the grocery store, expenses are increasing. Yet we as a city are not watching our expenses and I don't need to enumerate those as you are well aware of the waste. I am waiting and watching and waiting for city hall to say, We can't afford that new truck, that ice rink and bambini and next year when we go out for fireworks, we will NOT offer $20,000 but instead let them bid and tell us how low cost their company fireworks are.
Initial local fire academy class graduates - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL
Initial local fire academy class graduates - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL
Congratulations to all of the firefighters.
Congratulations to all of the firefighters.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Peru to hire Illinois Valley Waste Services for garbage service
Posted by wlpo on January 14, 2013
The company that picks up garbage in Spring Valley and La Salle
will soon be the company picking up garbage in Peru. Illinois Valley
Waste Services is getting the five-year contract with Peru after the
city council Monday night chose their bid over their current waste
hauler and two other companies.Alderman Dave Potthoff says the garbage pickup will remain the same along with the cost to you. The cost to the city will decrease by more than one dollar and fifty cents per household for the first year of the contract. The rate could increase based on the consumer price index.
Potthoff says they’re still working out details of yard waste pickup.
Executive Decision or What?
Monday, January 14, 2013
Has Our City Sunk to a New Low?
Is what we saw tonight at the city council meeting the new standard for a meeting? First Ald. Ankiewicz attempted to table the awarding of the fireworks bid to Extreme Pyrotechnics. Here it is January and this should have been settled in October but the alderman as has been previously explained kept finding reasons why it should not be awarded to them. He wants the bid given to Melrose and my question is "why" does he have such a personal interest in this contract? What has he to gain when Melrose gets the contract and the other companies all lose? This looked and smelled so bad that all of his fellow aldermen voted to grant the contract to Extreme Pyrotechnics. Why would you deliberately make yourself look so foolish?
Operation Promise may not survive the Peru City Council.. I understand that Ald. Perez who is the education officer for the Peru Fire Dept. and does not belong to Liberty Fire which is an independent fund raising group does not want the OP money handled by Liberty.. I don't believe he is the only one in the department not a member of Liberty.. There has been bad blood between Liberty and some of the firemen for years and for Ald. Perez to hand over the donations to Bob Ankiewicz Jr from Liberty Fire is not a comfortable situation and some of us understand that but the city council and particularly the Finance Committee does not.. Ald. Radtke a finance committee member has already announced he will not support the city having anything to do financially with OP and I believe that Ald. Potthoff feels the same way but did not expressly say he did not want it going back to finance. Ankiewicz Jr made a presentation tonight at the meeting that Liberty would gladly handle the funds. Ald Mayszak wanted to know what was the difference of the city handling money for the Peru Pool Fund or handling some money for the Peru Fire Department. This will all be sent somewhere perhaps to the department head Chief King.
Mayor Harl announced his choice of Simon Kempworth and Steve Michelini for the positions on the Peru Recreation Board and simply said he can only appoint 2 people. Mr Michelini in my opinion has definite conflict of interest in serving on the Recreation Board but I guess he is the only one the mayor was able to persuade to put in his name so he did not have to appoint Marsha Perez.
Operation Promise may not survive the Peru City Council.. I understand that Ald. Perez who is the education officer for the Peru Fire Dept. and does not belong to Liberty Fire which is an independent fund raising group does not want the OP money handled by Liberty.. I don't believe he is the only one in the department not a member of Liberty.. There has been bad blood between Liberty and some of the firemen for years and for Ald. Perez to hand over the donations to Bob Ankiewicz Jr from Liberty Fire is not a comfortable situation and some of us understand that but the city council and particularly the Finance Committee does not.. Ald. Radtke a finance committee member has already announced he will not support the city having anything to do financially with OP and I believe that Ald. Potthoff feels the same way but did not expressly say he did not want it going back to finance. Ankiewicz Jr made a presentation tonight at the meeting that Liberty would gladly handle the funds. Ald Mayszak wanted to know what was the difference of the city handling money for the Peru Pool Fund or handling some money for the Peru Fire Department. This will all be sent somewhere perhaps to the department head Chief King.
Mayor Harl announced his choice of Simon Kempworth and Steve Michelini for the positions on the Peru Recreation Board and simply said he can only appoint 2 people. Mr Michelini in my opinion has definite conflict of interest in serving on the Recreation Board but I guess he is the only one the mayor was able to persuade to put in his name so he did not have to appoint Marsha Perez.
Council Agenda January 14
AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013
ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 26, 2012
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2013
REPORTS
BUILDING PERMITS-FOURTH QUARTER REPORT 2012
BUILDING PERMITS-ANNUAL REPORT 2012
COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)
DISBURSEMENTS for January 16, 2013
Authorize $1,000 donation to I.V. Rodders Car Club
Authorize $2,500 sponsorship to Central States Senior Baseball Regional District 20
Tournament
Motion to award the City’s refuse and recycling 5 year contract to Illinois Valley Waste
Services with a year one base rate of $10.98 per household
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
WATER & WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS REPORT for November 2012
Motion to authorize Electric Department Foreman Jim Potthoff to prepare bid specifications for
Replacement of 60ft bucket truck
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez
(Fire & Police, ESDA, Health)
PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending December 22, 2012
PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending January 5, 2013
SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES of December 5, 2012
SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES of January 9, 2013
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
PERU RECREATION FUND CASH ACCOUNTS SUMMARY for December 2012
PERU PUBLIC LIBRARY CASH ACCOUNTS SUMMARY for December 2012
Motion to award bid for the 2013 fireworks display to Extreme Pyrotechnics in the amount of
$20,000
Motion to award bid for the Swimming Pool demolition to the lowest bidder, John Pohar &
Sons, in the amount of $26,268
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESTRICTED ACCOUNT FOR THE BI-ANNUAL
OPERATION PROM-ISE EVENT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Motion to appoint Simon Kampwerth Jr. to the Recreation Board
Motion to appoint Steve Michelini to the Recreation Board
NEW BUSINESS
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
ITEM NO. 1 Communication from Sheryl Maxwell of WBGL Radio requesting permission to hold a
Backyard Bounce event at Baker Lake on Monday, June 24th from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m.; rain date of July 1st
PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013
ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 26, 2012
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2013
REPORTS
BUILDING PERMITS-FOURTH QUARTER REPORT 2012
BUILDING PERMITS-ANNUAL REPORT 2012
COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)
DISBURSEMENTS for January 16, 2013
Authorize $1,000 donation to I.V. Rodders Car Club
Authorize $2,500 sponsorship to Central States Senior Baseball Regional District 20
Tournament
Motion to award the City’s refuse and recycling 5 year contract to Illinois Valley Waste
Services with a year one base rate of $10.98 per household
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
WATER & WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS REPORT for November 2012
Motion to authorize Electric Department Foreman Jim Potthoff to prepare bid specifications for
Replacement of 60ft bucket truck
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez
(Fire & Police, ESDA, Health)
PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending December 22, 2012
PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending January 5, 2013
SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES of December 5, 2012
SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES of January 9, 2013
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
PERU RECREATION FUND CASH ACCOUNTS SUMMARY for December 2012
PERU PUBLIC LIBRARY CASH ACCOUNTS SUMMARY for December 2012
Motion to award bid for the 2013 fireworks display to Extreme Pyrotechnics in the amount of
$20,000
Motion to award bid for the Swimming Pool demolition to the lowest bidder, John Pohar &
Sons, in the amount of $26,268
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESTRICTED ACCOUNT FOR THE BI-ANNUAL
OPERATION PROM-ISE EVENT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Motion to appoint Simon Kampwerth Jr. to the Recreation Board
Motion to appoint Steve Michelini to the Recreation Board
NEW BUSINESS
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
ITEM NO. 1 Communication from Sheryl Maxwell of WBGL Radio requesting permission to hold a
Backyard Bounce event at Baker Lake on Monday, June 24th from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m.; rain date of July 1st
PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Friday, January 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Public Property Mtg Combined with Public Health & Safety Followed by Regular City Council Meeting
The meetings were well attended by interested parties tonight. A joint session of the Public Property (Bob Ankiewicz and Sherry Mayszak) and Health and Safety (Rodney Perez and Tony Ferrari) SPW Bleck explained the purchase of a portable ice rink and a bambini machine. The rink will come with a stablizer (?) to use on unlevel ground. He said his choices were Centennial Park because of the locale and the available parking or Baker Lake. A discussion was held regarding setting up landlord registrations and responsibilities and this will require a lot more discussion to get off the ground.
Should I have been surprised that Alderman Ankiewicz tried to knock down the choice of Extreme Pyrotechnics selected by the Recreation Board. He has continually attempted to undermine this process since it began back in September. The representative of the company has attended all meetings relative to this decision and carefully presented his companies fireworks proposals. If you remember Ald. Ankiewicz did not want the fireworks company bids to go out until March instead of in the fall and then he delayed the decision at a Recreation Board meeting because the members could not figure out how to read the bids. At the last Recreation mtg, they grilled Extreme Pyrotechnics for an hour trying to find fault with them. Most reasonable people would have selected this company and sent it to the council for the final vote. Not Bob, tonight he brought up the fact that the other company Melrose had been doing the show for a very very long time and we know what we get but gee this new company I'm betting just can't put on a good show in spite of their excellent credentials. He then insinuated that Extreme would not test the area until 2 hours before the July 3 show. Fortunately the Extreme rep was present and he gave Mr Ankiewicz the facts that he and his company would be well prepared to do the show without a problem. In common language, I smell a rat....what do Melrose and Ald. Ankiewicz have in common?
Much of the council meeting was spent discussing our proposed contract with a waste hauler. I do not have have the spread sheet given to the council members but do know that 2 companies had a representative present and there was some controversy as to whether one of the companies was given special consideration and the other did not receive the same fairness. Sitting in the chambers listening to the presentations without the paperwork to read leaves me with only a feeling that something had gone awry here.
Should I have been surprised that Alderman Ankiewicz tried to knock down the choice of Extreme Pyrotechnics selected by the Recreation Board. He has continually attempted to undermine this process since it began back in September. The representative of the company has attended all meetings relative to this decision and carefully presented his companies fireworks proposals. If you remember Ald. Ankiewicz did not want the fireworks company bids to go out until March instead of in the fall and then he delayed the decision at a Recreation Board meeting because the members could not figure out how to read the bids. At the last Recreation mtg, they grilled Extreme Pyrotechnics for an hour trying to find fault with them. Most reasonable people would have selected this company and sent it to the council for the final vote. Not Bob, tonight he brought up the fact that the other company Melrose had been doing the show for a very very long time and we know what we get but gee this new company I'm betting just can't put on a good show in spite of their excellent credentials. He then insinuated that Extreme would not test the area until 2 hours before the July 3 show. Fortunately the Extreme rep was present and he gave Mr Ankiewicz the facts that he and his company would be well prepared to do the show without a problem. In common language, I smell a rat....what do Melrose and Ald. Ankiewicz have in common?
Much of the council meeting was spent discussing our proposed contract with a waste hauler. I do not have have the spread sheet given to the council members but do know that 2 companies had a representative present and there was some controversy as to whether one of the companies was given special consideration and the other did not receive the same fairness. Sitting in the chambers listening to the presentations without the paperwork to read leaves me with only a feeling that something had gone awry here.
The Bambini, ice resurfacing machine, ice resurfacing equipment, Backyard portable ice skating rinks, ice hockey rink kits
The Bambini, ice resurfacing machine, ice resurfacing equipment, Backyard portable ice skating rinks, ice hockey rink kits
I hear that one of these machines will soon be in Peru as part of our ice rink maintenance. Not necessarily this company, it will be used to keep our 100 ft x 100 ft ice rink in tip top shape.
I hear that one of these machines will soon be in Peru as part of our ice rink maintenance. Not necessarily this company, it will be used to keep our 100 ft x 100 ft ice rink in tip top shape.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Combined Health and Safety and Public Property Meeting
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: 1901 4TH STREET, PERU, IL
ROLL CALL:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2012 PUBLIC HEALTH &
SAFETY COMMITTEE AND NOVEMBER 5, 2012 PUBLIC
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
II. NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Rental Property Registration
Discuss ice skating rink location
Review firework bids
III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review pool demolition bids
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. ADJOURNMENT
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: 1901 4TH STREET, PERU, IL
ROLL CALL:
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2012 PUBLIC HEALTH &
SAFETY COMMITTEE AND NOVEMBER 5, 2012 PUBLIC
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
II. NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Rental Property Registration
Discuss ice skating rink location
Review firework bids
III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review pool demolition bids
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Get to Know Mike Hart Day Mark Your Calendars
On Sunday January 20, Mike Hart will hold a Meet and Greet at the Eagles in Peru from 1 to 4 o'clock. Not sure at this point if other candidates will be included.
We Have Just Celebrated the 1 Year Anniversary of the Westclox Fire
Just over a year has passed since the dramatic fire on New Years Eve 2011. We watched the flareups and hot spots as they continually popped up and our FD needed to be there again and again, sometimes for hours. And for the last year I have heard our aldermen ask how the cleanup was going. The questions was always directed to the mayor who would then ask Frank Taylor, our building inspector. The IEPA was supposedly monitoring the site for groundwater contamination and the owner was negotiating with the insurance company.
Every time the questions came up it was the same answer, everything is moving along and Mr Taylor would tell us that the insurance company was still in negotiations. Now the truth is coming forth and there is evidently NO insurance. Have we been told that by our city government? Well no but local and nearby news papers have stated NO INSURANCE. Somehow I feel the the residents of this city have been purposely misled by those that knew better. This was to be a transparent government - anybody remember those promises? Doesn't make me feel very good about the last election and the last 4 years.
The Mayor wants to know ahead of time by having us present a 3 x 5 inch card with our intended comments so there are no surprises at the council meetings. Now we the residents of Peru are getting a bigger surprise, we have been lied to for over a year by our city about those ugly piles of debris remaining behind the new fence along Route 6. Will the demolition of the Peru Power Plant on Water Street bring us more surprises?
Every time the questions came up it was the same answer, everything is moving along and Mr Taylor would tell us that the insurance company was still in negotiations. Now the truth is coming forth and there is evidently NO insurance. Have we been told that by our city government? Well no but local and nearby news papers have stated NO INSURANCE. Somehow I feel the the residents of this city have been purposely misled by those that knew better. This was to be a transparent government - anybody remember those promises? Doesn't make me feel very good about the last election and the last 4 years.
The Mayor wants to know ahead of time by having us present a 3 x 5 inch card with our intended comments so there are no surprises at the council meetings. Now we the residents of Peru are getting a bigger surprise, we have been lied to for over a year by our city about those ugly piles of debris remaining behind the new fence along Route 6. Will the demolition of the Peru Power Plant on Water Street bring us more surprises?
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Heading Into a New Year in Peru and Possible Changes in Sight
I wonder if the city has given up on putting up an ice skating rink for residents?
A few days ago it was noted by residents that the plastic liner purchased at a cost of 1750 dollars had been removed from the land at Veterans Park in an area chosen by the city council and the city workers attempted to fill the vacated area with water which just followed the path of least resistance and in the process made the "doggy park" an ice rink.
This follows the continued lack of planning with our recreation projects. Since Oglesby has a very nice rink and also does Echo Bluff in Hall Twp, I assume we will put our idea to rest. I believe the one in Oglesby is free, the one at Echo Bluff has a skating fee and both have designated hockey hours.
What about the canal in LaSalle, do they allow skating?
I will continue to post questions asked by you and hope Justin Loger and any other candidates will post responses. I will maintain a proper and respectful forum for them and I believe most of you will also.
A few days ago it was noted by residents that the plastic liner purchased at a cost of 1750 dollars had been removed from the land at Veterans Park in an area chosen by the city council and the city workers attempted to fill the vacated area with water which just followed the path of least resistance and in the process made the "doggy park" an ice rink.
This follows the continued lack of planning with our recreation projects. Since Oglesby has a very nice rink and also does Echo Bluff in Hall Twp, I assume we will put our idea to rest. I believe the one in Oglesby is free, the one at Echo Bluff has a skating fee and both have designated hockey hours.
What about the canal in LaSalle, do they allow skating?
I will continue to post questions asked by you and hope Justin Loger and any other candidates will post responses. I will maintain a proper and respectful forum for them and I believe most of you will also.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
I have had enough of the whining and complaining about this blog and my answer to all who are doing so is for you to stop reading and at the very least to stop posting. I don't administer this blog for you to tell me that you are offended. We are all offended on a daily basis for one thing or another, sometimes on a national level and sometimes local.
This all started with the Hispanic taxpayer and I believe it was someone with a thin skin or someone trying to start something because I am willing to place a bet that the litterers on Water Street were not Hispanic but the only people who would know for sure would be the persons doing the littering.
No one except me knows the posts that I do delete.
To the person who wrote in on 12/31 @8:42 AM, you certainly could be considered a poster child and an example on how to write unfair, blatantly false and unfair comments and until you decided to tell us how you feel, the blog was serving its original purpose. And than as usual you act offended and did not even have the decency to sign your name, so I will call you a coward who likes to hide so people won't be able to know you by name like I do.
This all started with the Hispanic taxpayer and I believe it was someone with a thin skin or someone trying to start something because I am willing to place a bet that the litterers on Water Street were not Hispanic but the only people who would know for sure would be the persons doing the littering.
No one except me knows the posts that I do delete.
To the person who wrote in on 12/31 @8:42 AM, you certainly could be considered a poster child and an example on how to write unfair, blatantly false and unfair comments and until you decided to tell us how you feel, the blog was serving its original purpose. And than as usual you act offended and did not even have the decency to sign your name, so I will call you a coward who likes to hide so people won't be able to know you by name like I do.
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