“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Operation Promise Not to Get Donation From ??

 This was not written by the administrator of the blog.

Early 2012 the Peru Fire Department received a donation from a local car club in the amount of $2,000.00 Chief King chose to use that as a donation for Operation Promise. Chief King recently heard that the car club didn't want their donation going towards Operation Promise.
Gee!! Coincidence, Since Rodney recently took Operation Promise from the City of Peru
Chief King just withdrew their $2,000.00 donation from Operation Promise account and placed it back in the Peru Fire Departments Account.
Rodney was told by Chief King it would not be replaced.

MR. Chief King- That was a Peru Fire Department donation to Operation Promise. If you wanted to pull those funds from the Operation Promise Account to keep that club happy, you should've replaced it with the FD funds.
How can you commit a donation then take it back a year later???
Dirty Politics you should be ashamed!!

BB Gun Club in Peru

The first meeting of the Peru BB gun club was held on January 22,2013 Jeff Sheppard, Greg Vaccaro along with the Peru Police Department worked on this project.

La Salle and Oglesby already have BB gun clubs in place. The Peru club will be similar to the Oglesby program that has been in existence for over 50 years and is still remains active. The program will introduce boys and girls to using guns safely and markmanship will be taught under adult supervision.

Donations solicited from local supporters and businesses and the newly formed Peru club purchased 20 Daisy brand youth rifles with the money according to Vaccaro. Peru police dept will have their officers help with teaching gun awareness and gun safety. Awards will be given for perfect scores and top shooters.



Recreation Board and Fireworks Contract



Remember when Ald. Ankiewicz during the Public Property meeting wanted the contract for our fireworks to be sent back to the Recreation Board for their approval. Here they are reading the contract but one member Ron Kelsey is absent and evidently he took care of previous fireworks but it has become evident that previous shows never had a contract with the company doing the show, so it seems that this board is not quite sure what to do with the request of Ald. Ankiewicz. Listening to the conversation, it really doesn't appear that they have much knowledge about understanding a contract. This is going around and around in circles and thanks to Ald. Ankiewicz, it is a mess. I guess this is a prime example of how things get done or don't get done here in Peru.

On some computers the sound is faint, so it all depends on what you are listening on.

Illinois attorney general’s office: City of Elmhurst violated Open Meetings Act | Suburban Life Media

Illinois attorney general’s office: City of Elmhurst violated Open Meetings Act | Suburban Life Media


Looks like they do something once in awhile.
Peru Mayoral Candidate Promises New Swimming Pool


Peru mayoral candidate Don Baker used Facebook to make a big promise is he’s elected .

To fulfill his promise, Baker will have to beat incumbent Scott Harl and Jim Giordano and Mike Hart. Hart says problems with the leaky pool started while Baker was mayor and nothing was done. (true) He thinks it’s just a case of a politician saying anything for a vote.(could be)

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Minutes from the Peru City Council





Peru Alderman Perez asked the city to explain spending on the newly formed BB Gun Club at Monday’s city council meeting.  Perez asked why there were in the disbursements payments of   $3,700 for the gun club.
He said he has totaled  up all city expenditures for this club which come to about $12,000 and all expenses over $5000 are supposed to go to the appropriate committee to be approved.
.

Treasurer Gary Hylla responded that expenses by the city for  the BB gun  club were nowhere near that amount.
Alderman Perez began reading from the copy of of recent city disbursements for the club starting with the amount of  $1,861.
“Here you go,” Perez said, handing them to Hylla.
“You can give them to me after the meeting,” Hylla said, refusing to accept them.
The vote to approve  was 6-1, with Perez voting “nay.”

Hylla did not want them after the mtg either and said he would not be available the next day.

Aldermen Perez and Sherry Mayszak have asked at recent city council meetings about city spending on the club since in January and answers seem to be difficult to come by.

This seems so simple, check to see how many checks have been written by the city or by credit card if that is what they used. Verify and total and tell the aldermen.

This can all be seen on the video posted for the last council meeting February 27.






Monday, February 25, 2013

Foia From the Township

TOPIC IS CLOSED, NO MORE COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AS THEY HAVE BECOME WAY OUT OF LINE. I DON'T KNOW WH0 IS TELLING HE TRUTH AND WHO ISN'T. IF YOU NEED ANSWERS GO DOWN AND TALK TO JOE SR OR JOE JR AND GET YOUR ANSWERS.





From the Independents for Twp. Office.

TOPIC IS CLOSED, NO MORE COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AS THEY 
HAVE BECOME WAY OUT OF LINE.  I DON'T KNOW WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH AND WHO ISN'T.  IF YOU NEED ANSWERS GO DOWN AND TALK TO JOE SR OR JOE JR


TOPIC IS CLOSED, NO MORE COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AS THEY HAVE BECOME WAY OUT OF LINE. I DON'T KNOW WH0 IS TELLING HE TRUTH AND WHO ISN'T. IF YOU NEED ANSWERS GO DOWN AND TALK TO JOE SR OR JOE JR 

There Will BE a Candidate for Mayor Debate

I found out this evening that a debate will be held April 7 at the Peru Public Library between Mayor Scott Harl, Mike Hart and Donald Baker. It will be moderated by someone coming from McClean County.

Also mark your calendars for March 26 for the WLPO meeting of the candidates. I don't know the time but will find out.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Streator Chamber, Leading Ladies to host Candidates Night - MyWebTimes.com

Streator Chamber, Leading Ladies to host Candidates Night - MyWebTimes.com

This interesting  because the Chamber of Commerce is hosting candidates in Wenona and now the Streator Chamber is hosting candidates. My question is why is the local Chamber of Commerce with offices in Peru, not hosting one for our city.  We certainly have enough candidates running for office to make it interesting. I am not sure of the exact amount of money we give them but it is a good amount and it would be a nice courtesy for them to extend to the residents.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Friday, February 22, 2013

On June 25, 1873, Liberty Fire Co. No. 1 was
organized. The fire company when formed had little
equipment for fire-fighting, and the methods in use
seem to us almost as crude as the early bucket-
brigades, but Liberty Fire Co. from its beginning
was composed of "fire eaters" to whom a fire was a
challenge to be met with every ounce of their energy.
This is the spirit which makes a handful of poorly
equipped volunteers the superiors of a fully outfitted
paid organization without the love of fire-fighting.
If this spirit had not been almost traditional in
Peru's fire department, Peru would probably have
gone on having disastrous fires. As it is. Liberty
Fire Co. has been consistently a source of service
to the community, not only the city of Peru, but
a number of other municpalities in the vicinity.

The first equipment purchased was a hand-pump-
er of the "back breaker" type. This was kept in the
Old City Hall, and was hand drawn. When a fire was
discovered, someone would run to the City Hall and
ring the bell. At the first clang the members of the
department would rush to the station and pull the
pumper to the scene of the fire as fast as they could.

In 1885 a "steam pumper," known as a "Silsby
engine," replaced the hand machine. A number of
large cisterns located at strategic points about the
town supplied the water for fire-fighting. The water
to fill these was pumped from the river.

In September, 1890, a contract for a new fire



station was let to Sperber & Koehler, and in the
following year the new building was ready, and the
engine was moved from the City Hall. A bond issue
for the construction of a "water works" was passed
on March 7, 1891, and by December fire hydrants
were installed and ready for use. The city bought a
hose wagon in January, 1892, and by the middle of
the following May a fire alarm system was installed.

For many years the city owned one team of
horses, which pulled the fire engine. When the fire
bell rang there would be a mad race amongst the
teamsters who were anywhere near, each driver try-
ing to get to the station first, in order to hitch his
team to the hose cart.

Two conventions of the Illinois State Firemen's
Association have been held in Peru, in January of
1896, and in January of 1911- Mr. J. W. Henshaw,
of Liberty Fire Co., was the first president of the
Association.

The charter members of the Liberty Fire Co.
No. 1 were:



Bart Denny, Marshall

E. Metzger

Jas. Dwyer

S. Rosenhaupt

Patrick O'Dowd

C. Ireland

G. B. Denny

John Balzer

C. P. Grasmick

Gottlieb Gmelich

Chas. Brunner

P. Prendergast

Herman Brunner

Jas. D. King

Wm. Birkenbeuel



C. W. Woodhead
Newton Thompson
R. Maze
Thos. Molloy
John G. Beyer
Wm. B. Day, Jr.
Henry Bellinghausen
A. Koehler
Thos. R. Prendergast
Geo. Murray
Cornelius Cahill
m. g. rosgen
R. C. Hattenhauer
Henry Mosbach
Charles Hobbs

Mike Harts Campaign


Selective Vision and No Will to Clean This Up

Controversy once again at the meeting, Ald. Perez brought to light private property that is neglected with the possibility of rodents and snakes living in the abandoned vehicles. Sounds like nearby property owners are not getting any help so far from the city after years of complaints. This ugly property has been in this condition for many years and I guess the previous officials closed their eyes to the situation. Located right across the street from what was  the Peru Public Library before the  current one was built.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Photo and Video Gallery | Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc.

http://www.melrosepyro.com/



Thank you Extreme commendation


Thank you from Utica IL to Extreme Pyro


Where Do You Start on a Night Like Tonight

Missed much of the discussion on the proposed swimming pool except that a committee will look into funding again and get an idea of what they can expect to pay and what the design will look like. This was the Public Property Meeting.


Fireworks once again as the company, Extreme Pyro, who "may" do ours this year would like us to sign a contract which our atty went over and he suggested some changes. Someone then asked what did our contract with the previous company of Melrose look like. Among those sitting in the room beside the Atty was Ald. Ankiewicz one of their biggest fans and he said he had never seen a contract because Kelsey of the Recreation Board took care of everything. No one at the meeting remembers seeing a contract and an assumption was made that we never signed a contract but just paid them for their services in the 17 years they had the "bid", (my tongue in cheek comment).

Now wouldn't the rep from the Extreme Pyrotechnics company who gave us the contract this year and has been communicating with the city and attended several Recreation Board meetings and seems interested in doing business with us, wouldn't he  appreciate a telephone call first to explain the changes we wanted and discuss any further issues we have. Never heard that mentioned but instead the contract is going back to Kelsey on the Rec. Board because he always takes care of the fireworks. And than the what ifs started. Old habits are hard to change and we continue to go round and round once again. Somebody in the city must be hurting from this change.

Peru Pool Committee Being Formed




Some members of the Peru group have been to the pool at Morris which was built by Chamlin and the city used TIF money to build as it is located in a tif district. The Public Property has put Chamlin on the Peru Pool committee. I cannot forget Roger Chamlin saying at a meeting during the discussion to close the new pool,
"We don't do pools". Where this is going, I don't know.




Wednesday, February 20, 2013

When Does a Discussion Become a Meeting in Peru?

Last evening Alderman Mayszak had a question she presented to the Public Property Committee and to the City Council. Why did you have a meeting at the airport and not advise me until an hour before?  She was at work when the message was received and could not take off.

This meeting was about the Concerts for no charity cause. City Clerk Bartley has been chosen by the public property committee to be the "point man" between the city and Ms Noonan and he brought together a group of people at the airport. All business at the airport is handled by the public property committee which consists of Bob Ankiewicz and Sherry Mayszak. Present at this discussion which they did not want to call a meeting were: Bartley, Mayor Harl, Jim Lukosus, Bob Ankiewicz, D Construction and Merry Noonan. During the meeting airport business was discussed with city officials and concert dealings were discussed. Since Ald. Mayszak could not attend and therefore a quorum was not present, it could not be considered a public property meeting. So was this a meeting according to OMA? Clerk Bartley did not take minutes but when pressed by an individual later in the day, he said he would write up the minutes.

Is a meeting of city officials to discuss city business always a meeting which needs an agenda and 48 hour advance notice to the public? Do we need minutes?. At this point, most everything connected with the Concert emits a rather bad odor, therefore I think that the city in all good conscience should be trying to maintain and honest and open environment for all of us "doubting Thomases" out here.

AGENDA

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT

COMMITTEE REPORTS ALDERMEN
1. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Potthoff & Radtke
(Wage-Negotiations, License)
Approve renewing the Illinois Valley Regional Airport Liability Insurance with Chartis
for an annual premium of $4,430
2. PUBLIC WORKS Waldorf & Lukosus
(Electric, Street & Alley, Water & Sewer)
3. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Ferrari & Perez
(Fire & Police, ESDA, Health)
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Ankiewicz & Mayszak
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A SCAVENGER AND RECYCLABLE
COLLECTION CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND RRD HOLDING COMPANY AND
D/B/A ILLINOIS VALLEY WASTE SERVICES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD COMMENCING APRIL 1, 2013
AND ENDING MARCH 31, 2018
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MAINTENANCE SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR
THE ILLINOIS VALLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT LOCALIZER/DME
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING IFIBER RIGHT-OF-WAY AGREEMENT
A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW IDOT TO PERFORM OPEN EXCAVATION REPAIRS ON WATER MAIN
UNDER IL ROUTE 6
A RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR WEST SIDE TRUNK SANITARY SEWER
DIVERSION
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PROCLAMATION
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA
PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: 1901 4TH STREET
ROLL CALL: Alderman Ankiewicz, Alderman Mayszak
I. APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2013
II. NEW BUSINESS
Discuss new pool design
Discuss race car track
III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Motion to accept contract changes made by Corporate Counsel Doug
Schweickert to Extreme Pyrotechnics fireworks contract
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
V. CLOSED SESSION
VI. ADJOURNMENT

Just Hire One Job Fair Wednesday in Ottawa


A few local companies have job openings They’ll look over your resume if you bring it to the “Just Hire One” Job Fair Wednesday in Ottawa.
I


The fair is part of a larger effort to encourage businesses in La Salle County to add an extra employee to stimulate the local economy and to lower the unemployment rate.
It runs from 9-noon at the Southtowne Ottawa Mall, next to Kroger’s.

Monday, February 18, 2013

La Salle News Tribune Peru Mayoral Candidates and Why They Are Running

This was removed at the request of the LaSalle New Tribune as it is an infringement upon their ownership of the article.

Does Peru Have A Paid On Call City Government?

I was doing some research tonight of cities close to us in size, how are they administered, what kind of park system do they have and how is it managed, what is the organization of the public works department and should it be headed by an engineer. We do put out much on contract such as our waste hauler services, our water testing, our engineering services and would it be better to go out for lawn care also with a private professional local business also.

 Government is headed by a politically elected mayor and city council and many important committees are volunteer and no one and certainly not the mayor is keeping a eye on all of it. Keeping a keen eye on everything and having a structured competent city government as well as transparency is vital to the future of this city

Perhaps we should consider the benefits of a city manager available at all times and  perhaps even  a Park District. Maybe a city manager could function as a city treasurer and economic director also.

I know that some of this would be considered  wasteful spending of our tax dollars by some of our residents  But maybe not because it would be done with accountability. Think about the park care we are getting now and say that is a good use of our tax dollars.  All summer long you hear about employees not doing their job and cutting the same grass over and over even when it hasn't rained in a month.

Was the camera we purchased to view council meetings a good investment? From what we are not seeing, NO.  So we spent a couple thousand there and we have a $7000 ice rink in storage and a $8000 piece of playground equipment in storage. A city that is working with accountability would not be experiencing these issues.

Someone recently asked about the checks and balances when it comes to spending money in Peru. And the answer is.............................

And one very important aspect is also missing in this city and it is RESPECT.
That is something that needs to be given to be received in return. Aldermen are rude to other aldermen and it appears other city officials are trying to protect their own turf with no regard for the residents. I will leave it to you to figure that out and put names to them.

Feel free to add your own concerns and to whom you would to address them to.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Part I Recreation Board Feb. 11.2013



This is the agenda for the Recreation Board and as you can see there is nothing on it about voting on the horseshoe pits. As you watch this video, you will see once again the board voted on the activity without regard to the legality of this move. I will add that most of the members have taken the OMA test, so they have to be aware.


And This is How it Happened

This is the actual agenda and minutes from the recreation board meeting. Do you see the word PICKLEBALL on the agenda?







Thursday, February 14, 2013

FOIA of Township Expenditures




Just for your information these are not my foia's, they were done by candidates for twp. office.

PERU TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
Michael A. Hocking
PERU TOWNSHIP CLERK.
Robert F. "Bob" Vickrey
PERU TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR
Douglas O. Biederstedt, CIAO
PERU TOWNSHIP HWY COMMISSIONER
Joe Oscepinski
PERU TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
Donald "Barkey" Koehler
Douglas P. Bernabei
Jack Hyson
T. William Radtke
In response to your FOIA request of April 10, 2012 herein is the
information you requested.
The Road Commlssloner's salary for FY 2011 was $37,078.67; the salary
for Y 2012 was $38,93.2.61.
A copy of the budget and levy for the town fund for FY2011 and FY
2012 is enclosed


You asked for a copy of all employees' applicator license for spraying right-of-way for 2011. Since we do no spraying we do not make application for any license to spray..
Cordially,
Michael A. Hocking .


Peru Township Supervisor



Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Political Signs per Ordinance 4885

Only 1 sign per candidate per yard with no more than 6 signs with a total area of 48 square feet. May be up for 60 days on residential areas or 45 in business areas.

Part 2 of the Recreation Board Mtg



This meeting was videoed by 2 different people and this happens to be Part II. Note how the Board president states they are hoping to be the "cause" planned for this summer by Merry Noonan so they can build a pickleball court. Excuse me I thought this was a charity concert not a benefit for the recreation board.

For Your Information

Some of you have asked for the question and answer format for this election. I have Ald. Mayszaks permission to use her FB question to Mike Hart on the Peru Town Forum.


Sherry Lierly Mayszak
Would you be in favor of volunteers helping beautify the city like the City of Ottawa does? They have a great volunteer program, but I've felt some resistance when I asked about this idea here.



Mike Hart for Mayor Anyone who would like to volunteer would be welcome. The old saying. " Many hands make light work."
Monday at 13:30 ·

Mike Hart for Mayor I believe the resistance could be that the project would still be completed without the use of public employees. Also it may bring out more individuals with more and possibly better ideas on how to beautify not only the downtown areas but the parks. The city has a horticulturist but I have never seen him in Centennial Park doing any weeding or transplanting of flowers. Besides weeds growing with flowers near the gazebo there is poison ivy. I assume the parks ; Rec. Dept. would have to approve this.
Yesterday at 08:54 ·

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tonight Another OMA Violation by the Recreation Board and they Laughed About It

I was unable to personally attend the Recreation Board Meeting tonight but when I heard the results of this meeting it was embarrassing to every resident of Peru to think that Mayor Scott Harl and the majority of the City Council ignore the actions of this board and do not reprimand them for their illegal activities, month after month. Yes the Recreation Board knows and they apparently don't care and the above mentioned don't care either. Have they no integrity? Appears not.

This was sent to me after the meeting tonight.

Once again the Rec Board violated the OMA by voting on an issue that was not listed on their agenda for voting. And, once again an elected official and some citizens were treated with total disrespect. Oh, and the fireworks contract that was supposed to be decided and sealed by September is still up in the air. Video to follow!!!

You Can't Go Home Again - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You Can't Go Home Again - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Put this in the context of this election because it fits perfectly. Nothing ever returns to the same because the same people cannot be there any longer and in fact nothing can be the same. It is a changing world and you can't go home again.

Few Comments on the City Council 2/11

Alderman Mayszak (my mistake, it was Perez) asked about the power plant demolition and the mayor responded that in addition to the original bid there would be an extra cost because the IEPA mandate on disposal of lead based paint in the amount of of 25 to 40 thousand dollars. The material will need to be taken to a special landfill.
When you have large amount of debris, how do you know what needs to go where? So I assume all the debris will need to go to a specifically chosen landfill. He did not say where this would be. Anybody out there keeping track of the expenses since this all began until it is finally and completely done.

Why does the mayors voice always sound so sarcastic when he answers either Ald. Mayszak and Ald. Perez? In my opinion.

Before we demo any more buildings we need to be aware before we take out one brick or board from the structure that due to the time in which this building was constructed, it WILL have lead based paint in it. Include that in bid specifications and don't wait until you are ready to take it down like the pool and now the power plant to announce, "surprise, we have to check more, we have to hire to check for lead based paint" I believe Chamlin is the company doing the checking. Need I say more?

About Mike Hart Mayoral Candidate


I am a candidate for mayor of Peru. Concerned about the lack of leadership and the wayward spending of taxpayers money.
Biography
Retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation after 35 years with the position of Engineering Technician V. Which included bituminous plant calibrations, approval of bituminous asphalt mix designs, job startups and final quanties for pay. Also retired from the US Army Reserve having attained the rank of E-8. I was the 1SGT at 4/75thFA in Peru and then to 370th RR Co., Joliet, from there to the 303rd Ammo Ord Group in Springfield where I retired in 1997 as a MSG.
Education information
Secondary School:

Streator Township High School '66
Midstate College "69

Work Info
Employer: State of Illinois
Position: Engineering Technician
Length of time: January 1970 to December 2005
Location: Ottawa, IL

Saturday, February 09, 2013

And Your Opinion Please

Craig
Sterrett
NewsTribune
news editor
We’ve been entertained and, at times, aghast, by city council
meetings in the past five to 10 years that have been, well, chaotic.
A few years ago, Spring Valley had a mayor who handled
council meetings quickly and crisply, and had administrative
experience from his years as a school superintendent. However,
there were times when things did not go his way, when he didn’t
like the answers or attitudes from elected council members,
when his my way or the highway demeanor would backfire.
I recall one meeting in particular when Jim Narczewski
walked out of the council meeting before it had ended. He usually
did a good job of handling the meetings, but that was not
his, or Spring Valley’s finest moment.
In the past two years, with freshman mayors in La Salle,
Oglesby, Spring Valley and Peru, council meetings in Peru and
Spring Valley have, at times, become free-for-alls, for differing
reasons.
A spectators group in Peru and opinionated alderman Rodney
Perez have turned the weekly meetings, the way I read the
stories, into bizarre-o-world in the city with the slogan, “The
Leader of the Valley.”
In Spring Valley, outright arguing and a few less-than-professional
exchanges between Mayor Cliff Banks and some of the
aldermen have made for interesting comments on reporters’ tape
recorders and have overshadowed the actual tasks or questions
at hand.
One could say it’s good, old-fashioned, grassroots government,
reminiscent of a town selectmen meeting in New England.
But frankly, it’s a little bit too quaint.
In my opinion, area cities, and Spring Valley for certain, need
to consider hiring city managers or at least city administrators.
Our cities have cobbled together ways to get jobs done, such as
budgeting, dealing with the public, greeting newcomers and prospective
businesses or developers, etc.
But if an elected mayor cannot, and probably should not, be
available all day any day due to having a day job, who’s going
to accurately and professionally answer questions if a developer
comes to town and wants answers immediately? Who’s going
to tell a potential industrial employer what benefits the city can
or cannot extend to them through a Tax Increment Financing
district?
How many problems arise that should be solved immediately
that currently require a vote at a city council meeting, and how
unwieldy do things become when a council can’t vote until an
item has been published on an agenda?
And, if city council meetings are turning into wild affairs,
what kind of an impression would that make on a developer or
an industrial firm?
Illinois Valley cities have a lot going for them and a lot to
offer. Our location and transportation systems are ideal and convenient.
We have a community college that can help train workers.
We have plentiful water, which is more than can be said
about many entire regions of the United States, and the communities
have ample sewer capacity.
All of our communities already have one major disadvantage.
They’re all in Illinois, which has the worst credit rating in the
nation and has a government/public pension system that’s bogging
it down.
If Illinois Valley communities have that strike against them,
they would do well to correct all their other weaknesses to the
best of their ability.
The city manager must enforce and adhere to ordinances,
hire and fire employees other than those required by law to be
appointed by the mayor or council, do all hiring based on merit
and fitness, exercise control of all departments and fill in if a
department head position is temporarily vacant, submit a budget
and prepare the annual tax levy, be responsible for collective
bargaining, issue all licenses and permits and make purchases as
necessary, although council permission is needed for purchases
or contracts in excess of $10,000.
It’s time to scrutinize not just city council affairs but the form
of city governments.
Craig Sterrett can be reached at (815) 220-6935 or ntlocal@

Friday, February 08, 2013

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Recreation Board Agenda to Review Fireworks Contract

AGENDA

PERU RECREATION BOARD

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013
TIME: 6:30 P.M.

PLACE: 1901 4TH Street, Peru, IL

CALL TO ORDER: By President, Bryan Hartman
I. GUESTS

Phyllis Atwell, Horseshoe League

II. APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2013 MEETING

III. REVIEW REVENUE & EXPENSE REPORT DATED 01/31/2013

*Communications

* Discussion & Potential Motion for a donation to the Peru
Girls Softball Organization for a Scoreboard

*Welcome New Board Member(s)
*Summer Staffing

*Select Movie for Movie In The Park
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS


*Park Needs

*Review Extreme Pyrotechnics Fireworks Contract

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Operation Prom-ise Has a New Home

The city has new parts for an ice skating rink but it probably won’t go up in time this year, said Gary Bleck, superintendent of public works. A site for the new rink could be Washington or McKinley parks, Bleck said.

Rodney Perez said he wanted to “bring closure” following the vigorous council debate last month about Operation Prom-ise, an every-other-year program held before prom time to educate teenagers and the community about drinking and driving involving La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Hall and Putnam County high schools. Perez is its lead organizer. Perez said Wednesday that he found an attorney to help organize the effort as a non-profit and that planning is underway for to stage the program’s mock crash for a video at Starved Rock and to hold the community program in Utica.

Jeff Dankert can be reached at (815) 220-6977 or perureporter@newstrib.com.


One more program is leaving Peru and it is not surprising considering the difficulty that Ald. Perez had with Mayor Scott Harl and Ald Dave Potthoff and Ald. Mike Radtke of the Finance Committee Consider this another closure that has found the climate in Peru inhospitable to operate in. Maybe even a little less sales tax will be generated since all those people who will work on OP may very well do some shopping and eating in Utica. I have to hand it to Utica, they know how to attract volunteer events and now a very well appreciated program against drinking and driving aimed at our young people will find its new home there.

And yes the ice skating rink,,not sure where it will eventually find a home within the city as they can't seem to decide upon the location. $7,000 in storage for the summer, $3.000 for the bike path (Baker admin) and a possible lawsuit re: pickleball this year. Undeveloped recreation is costly here in Peru. For 3 years we have been asking the city to put up a splash pad for the children and no one even wants to talk about it. Ald Perez found a company that could do a splash pad for the summer which we could turn into an ice skating rink for the winter. But the unpacked rink and equipment again shows we don't know how to organize and plan ahead to develop recreational activities for the residents. We do baseball very well but .....

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Does Money Affect Election Outcomes in US Politics? A Quick Review of the Literature

Does Money Affect Election Outcomes in US Politics? A Quick Review of the Literature

A: Candidates who raise a lot of money tend to do better, and it’s more likely than not that at least part of this relationship is due to money paying for things like ads and canvassers that help candidates win over new voters and/or turn out their bases. High-quality challengers may be deterred by large war chests, but other factors such as local political conditions and incumbent quality are more important: in most cases, a much-despised incumbent with a lot of money is in a worse position than a much-liked incumbent with very little money. 

This is one paragraph that  follows my line of reasoning because some people in Peru worry about the large amount of outside funding coming into the mayors race  For more information read the entire article. The one I posted seems to summarize the general feeling.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Message From the Peru Township Independents



The Peru Township Independents are a group of four Peru Township residents who are dedicated to the task of challenging the incumbent elected officials of Peru Township in the upcoming local election on April 9th, 2013.


The Independent candidates and the positions they are running for are Travis Nelson for Township Supervisor and Art Rigby, Mary Landseidel, and Eddy Mitchell for Township Trustees. These Independent candidates have been researching Township records using the Freedom of Information Act for several months which have exposed a consistent and long-standing pattern of waste and abuse of tax dollars by current township officials.


The Peru Township Independents intend to reform the way Peru Township government is currently operated. That reform can only be achieved when a majority of current township officials are replaced by Independent or Republican challengers.


The Peru Township Independents will use every available forum to encourage Peru Township reform, including this blog. It is our intent to present information to inform the voters of what we have learned about Peru Township.


As Independent candidates we will be accessible during the upcoming campaign and will be glad to speak to the concerns of township residents. Please visit our website at www.reformperutwp.com


Below is just one example we have of the failure of the current Township Elected Officers and Township Trustees. Salaries continue to skyrocket and in the last 4 years General Assistance is almost non-existent.



Year Salaries General Assistance
2000 $131,003 $15,722
2001 $136,485 $27,373
2002 $147,989 $29,883
2003 $155,745 $39,907
2004 $155,420 $33,353
2005 $179,597 $30,727
2006 $170,619 $28,268
2007 $204,337 $14,356
2008 $204,337 $4,755
2009 $221,028 $2,450
2010 $241,371 $1,231
2011 $249,389 $2,398

Source:
Annual Financial Report State of Illinois Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka

Teaching Our Schoolkids to Be Suspects | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute

Teaching Our Schoolkids to Be Suspects | Nat Hentoff | Cato Institute

Definitely off topic, but so pertinent to everybody. 

Included in the Agenda of City Council

REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCE, CITY OF PERU, CHAPTER 42, BY ADDING SECTION 42-52 FEES FOR NON-RESIDENT SERVICES

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LEASE WITH W.H. MAZE COMPANY FOR STORAGE OF STREET DEPARTMENT VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT

A RESOLUTION FOR MAINTENANCE OF STREETS AND HIGHWAYS BY MUNICIPALITY UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE

A RESOLUTION REGARDING INSUFFICIENCY OF MONIES TO COMPLETE PAYMENT OF MFT PROJECT

Monday, February 04, 2013

Peru Pages: Spring offers more of the same, unless…

Peru Pages: Spring offers more of the same, unless…

Brian has written a must read comment and one that so many of us we will agree with wholeheartedly.  We must build a town for the future and not be content to what has been our past or we as a city will be passed by and children will continue to leave and after awhile even retail willfind us a  less desirable location. Looking about Peru, it seems that that has almost begun to happen.

We are seeing the mayors campaign beginning



BATHHOUSE AT THE PERU POOL

Sunday, February 03, 2013

Superbowl Sunday was Quieter than Christmas

Everybody must have been in front of their TVs watching the game, even the Hyvee Grocery was kind of sparse. Hope everyone enjoyed their Holiday and Party Day. I'm not a football fan, but even I watched about 1/2 of it.

Friday, February 01, 2013

The Most Impressive Thing Happening in Peru



Country star on way to Concert for a CauseThe ninth year for Concerts for a Cause is starting to take shape.

One fundraising concert for charity is planned for July 6 at Illinois Valley Regional Airport, Peru, and a second benefit show, headlined by up-and-coming country music star Brantley Gilbert, is set for Aug. 3, according to the founder of Lou’s LaGrotto Concerts for a Cause.

Concert organizer and Lou’s LaGrotto co-owner Merry Noonan said the act for July 6 will be announced later this winter.

Concerts for a Cause and Noonan have brought in several established musicians such as Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson and Blues Traveler and also have caught some big-name country acts while they were on their way to stardom, such as Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown, Sugarland and Eric Church.

“We’ve been really lucky,” Noonan said.

She likens Brantley Gilbert’s style and music to Eric Church, who appeared at the airport while on tour with Trace Adkins.

That 2011 show raised $25,000, which was donated to Van Orin School to buy textbooks.

Gilbert has had two No. 1 hits, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” and “Country Must Be Country Wide,” and has written songs recorded by Jason Aldean and Colt Ford. They also joined forces to write the hit, “Dirt Road Anthem.” He toured part of last year with Toby Keith.

The second group to appear with Gilbert at the airport Aug. 3 has not yet been announced.