Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Approval Given By The City Council to Appoint Co Superintendents of Public Works
I was not at the city council meeting but this news report from WLPO says it all.
http://wlponews.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/peru-police-and-fire-chiefs-named-interim-public-works-superintendents/
My own personal opinion is with the lone dissenting vote of Dave Potthoff. I agree that the senior foremen of the public works dept. should have been able to handle this for the few weeks it should take to hire someone new. Notice I said should. The hiring again will be done by Mayor Harl, Ald. Waldorf and Ald. Lukosus, need I say more. Normally you would have a more informed group of people doing the interviewing but we evidently have to go with what we have. Perhaps an interview with all of the city council would be appropriate considering the circumstances of the current (for one more day) SPW/civil engineer. If you doubt what I am saying, watch the city council video of July 15, 2013.
http://wlponews.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/peru-police-and-fire-chiefs-named-interim-public-works-superintendents/
My own personal opinion is with the lone dissenting vote of Dave Potthoff. I agree that the senior foremen of the public works dept. should have been able to handle this for the few weeks it should take to hire someone new. Notice I said should. The hiring again will be done by Mayor Harl, Ald. Waldorf and Ald. Lukosus, need I say more. Normally you would have a more informed group of people doing the interviewing but we evidently have to go with what we have. Perhaps an interview with all of the city council would be appropriate considering the circumstances of the current (for one more day) SPW/civil engineer. If you doubt what I am saying, watch the city council video of July 15, 2013.
Is This What Your Campaign Card Has On It??
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The City Council Will Vote on the Co Superintendents for Public Works Tomorrow. What Would You Like to Ask them Before The Vote is Taken?
I am sure you all have a question or 2 on this appointment and so without being funny do you have a concern that the aldermen should address.
My first question is when and if a new civil engineer/spw is hired, who will orient him to the job? Who will work with him while he adjusts to the new position? Will he have a support system and who will his go to person be?
Since the previous engineer will no longer be here, who will it be? Hopefully not the Public Works Committee.
My first question is when and if a new civil engineer/spw is hired, who will orient him to the job? Who will work with him while he adjusts to the new position? Will he have a support system and who will his go to person be?
Since the previous engineer will no longer be here, who will it be? Hopefully not the Public Works Committee.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Portion of the Agenda for City Council Meeting Monday Dec. 30 .....Any Thoughts??
PERU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT for period ending December 21, 2013
Motion to approve ordering one new police squad car under state bid with the trade in of two used police squad cars with said car to be paid for with police department
enforcement funds
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Perez & Mueller
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND METROPOLITAN ALLIANCE OF POLICE, PERU POLICE DISPATCH CHAPTER #642
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND PERU PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 4751 OTHE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS FOR THE PERIOD MAY1, 2013 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2016
AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING TEMPORARY CO-SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
(CHIEF DOUG BERNABEI AND FIRE CHIEF/ZONING INSPECTOR JEFF KING)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Motion to approve ordering one new police squad car under state bid with the trade in of two used police squad cars with said car to be paid for with police department
enforcement funds
4. PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE Perez & Mueller
(Recreation & Parks, Airport, Buildings & Grounds)
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY/ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND METROPOLITAN ALLIANCE OF POLICE, PERU POLICE DISPATCH CHAPTER #642
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PERU AND PERU PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 4751 OTHE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS FOR THE PERIOD MAY1, 2013 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2016
AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING TEMPORARY CO-SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
(CHIEF DOUG BERNABEI AND FIRE CHIEF/ZONING INSPECTOR JEFF KING)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
My Thanks to the Peru Electric Department
This morning I would like to thank the Peru Electric Dept. workers for quickly coming to our home to solve an electrical issue that had developed over the past few days with lights blinking off and on intermittently throughout the house They took one look at the connection to the house and identified the problem, got up to the wires and it is fixed. Prompt and very courteous and we wish to thank them and we wish them a Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Who Has the Responsibility of Overseeing the Peru Ice Rink?
This questions has been asked on the blog and I didn't have an answer and still do not. We all know that ice skating is a recreational activity and logically it should fall under the responsibilities of the Peru Recreation Board. Now many of the board members have a particular interest and they don't generally venture into unknown territory. One is informed about soccer, another girls baseball and another boys baseball and then of course there is tennis and pickleball and the Recreation Director Linda Kasik takes care of the summer recreation programs, movies in the park and at one time the Peru swimming pool.
In the past I believe that the Public Works Department kept it in condition so that people could skate on the ice. For the last few years that hasn't happened and partly it was because the city council chose to locate the rink at Veteran's Park which is prone to extreme wind conditions and the ice did not freeze properly and it was impossible to maintain.
This year it was going to be at McKinley Park on the girls baseball field. Last year Mayor Harl took it upon himself to purchase a $7000 ice rink setup and a zamboni machine to clean the ice for skating. The pictures above show the condition of the ice rink. The weather has been cooperating the last few weeks and temperatures cold enough to keep the water frozen. Yesterday several people were at the rink using snow blowers trying to clean the ice of snow and as you see above in the photos, it was not accomplished. The First Ward which is the location of McKinley Park has 2 aldermen and not a word has been heard from either one Ald Tony Ferrari or Ald Becky Mueller regarding this recreational activity located in the First Ward. Will this year be like last year and the entire winter will go by without a usable rink. I understand that Ald. Perez of the second ward has been looking into the situation. He and Ald. Mueller of the First Ward are members of the Public Property committee and perhaps this should be under their management as this is public property.
Someone either the mayor or the city council needs to take the reins and decide who is responsible as this is such a waste no matter how you look at it.
Not related to the city of Peru or any policy or any official. I am using this forum to post this for your benefit if you are interested.
No comments expected on this video and watch only if you have an interest in what you eat and how it affects your health or if you have been on a diet and trying to lose a few pounds and find it difficult. The speaker has a great sense of humor and speaks so much truth and in some ways you can almost put his views into a political context of our country and our city.
I have followed this advice for over a year and it does work.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Petitions Had Enough Signatures to Place The Change in Government on the March Ballot
Over 400 people signed the petition to put the change in Peru Government on the March Ballot. Meaning now it is up to all of you voters to determine if you wish to move forward with the reduction in aldermen, one per ward and 2 at large.
The penniless in school: New report on homeless students - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL
The penniless in school: New report on homeless students - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL
This link will take you to the News Tribune for the article. This is the first time I have done this in a long time and I realize many will not be able to read it because you have used up your 5 reads to the paper. Go to the library or ask someone you know to share their paper with you. We here spend enough time discussing our city and its downhill slide and this is about real people and especially children having a very difficult time and they are living here and even sleeping in our local PADS shelter.
I think about all the money we spend needlessly and many times unnecessarily here in Peru and take a minute and think about having nothing. Most of us cannot do a great deal do help them but it does help to be aware. Ask anyone on the PPD and they can tell you about the increasing number of homeless people they encounter on a daily basis. Winter is a very hard time and especially during the very cold days and nights.
This link will take you to the News Tribune for the article. This is the first time I have done this in a long time and I realize many will not be able to read it because you have used up your 5 reads to the paper. Go to the library or ask someone you know to share their paper with you. We here spend enough time discussing our city and its downhill slide and this is about real people and especially children having a very difficult time and they are living here and even sleeping in our local PADS shelter.
I think about all the money we spend needlessly and many times unnecessarily here in Peru and take a minute and think about having nothing. Most of us cannot do a great deal do help them but it does help to be aware. Ask anyone on the PPD and they can tell you about the increasing number of homeless people they encounter on a daily basis. Winter is a very hard time and especially during the very cold days and nights.
Peru could ban leaf burning on federal holidays « AM1220 WLPO News
Peru could ban leaf burning on federal holidays « AM1220 WLPO News
I am posting this so I can express my opinion on this proposed ordinance. This is crazy. How many federal holidays fall in leaf burning season and how many people actually burn their leaves?
I am posting this so I can express my opinion on this proposed ordinance. This is crazy. How many federal holidays fall in leaf burning season and how many people actually burn their leaves?
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
Because of Circumstances Here in Peru, Opening a New Post for Your Posts
It seems that there are a number of unresolved issues here in Peru and its residents have comments to make. I did see the resignation article in the N.T. when I was visiting with some friends and I do believe no reason was given for the decision.Tuesday, December 10, 2013
City Does NOT Receive Same Tax Levy
(75 ILCS 16/10-60)
Sec. 10-60.
Home rule unit library; reduction of tax levy.
If a tax
supported public library of a home rule unit, as defined in Article VII,
Section 6, of the Illinois Constitution, converts to a public library district
under this Article, that home rule unit, for the year following the year of
conversion, shall reduce its property tax levy by the amount levied by the home
rule unit for the most recent year before the conversion.
(Source: P.A. 87-1277.)
Illinois is closing one day at a time - Chicago Sun-Times
Illinois is closing one day at a time - Chicago Sun-Times
Is he correct, Illinois is sinking quickly as more and more companies move out of this state?
Is he correct, Illinois is sinking quickly as more and more companies move out of this state?
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Streator to present first drafts of comprehensive, downtown redevelopment plans - The Times: Local
Streator to present first drafts of comprehensive, downtown redevelopment plans - The Times: Local
Topics are something to think about. Peru has NO plans that I know about so some of the ideas put out could also apply to this city. All are food for thought even though our cities are very different.
Topics are something to think about. Peru has NO plans that I know about so some of the ideas put out could also apply to this city. All are food for thought even though our cities are very different.
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Christmas Parade with Santa Claus Today in Peru
The parade will be starting at Rotary Park and will go to the Fire Station where treats will be distributed. Bundle up warmly, ifs cold out there. Starts at 1:30 PM.
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Peru Registered Voters Please Pay Attention Read and Consider Signing the Petition
Attn: Peru Illinois,
registered voters. A group of dedicated people are trying to get a
referendum on the ballot for next March 2014 and have petitions for you
to sign. The referendum is:
SHALL PERU RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF ALDERMEN TO SIX, WITH ONE ALDERMAN REPRESENTING EACH WARD, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL TWO ALDERMEN TO BE ELECTED AT LARGE.
This would not decrease your representation, but actually increase it because you would have 3 aldermen you could contact in case you have a problem - your ward aldermen and the 2 at-large aldermen. The council has voted to reduce the number of council meetings from 4 per month to 2 per month. I believe that is saying there isn't enough city business to meet 4 times per month, so are 8 aldermen really needed? There would be an additional savings per year of approximately $11,000 by reducing 2 aldermen.
Contact me personally if you want to sign and have not had the opportunity. I may be able to direct you to someone that lives closer to you that can stop by with a petition. It is a rare opportunity in the city of Peru that you actually have the opportunity to move this city forward to a better and more responsible government. This is not about, but I like my alderman, it is about the government taking responsibility for honestly governing this city and making aldermen responsible for more than their own ward.
SHALL PERU RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF ALDERMEN TO SIX, WITH ONE ALDERMAN REPRESENTING EACH WARD, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL TWO ALDERMEN TO BE ELECTED AT LARGE.
This would not decrease your representation, but actually increase it because you would have 3 aldermen you could contact in case you have a problem - your ward aldermen and the 2 at-large aldermen. The council has voted to reduce the number of council meetings from 4 per month to 2 per month. I believe that is saying there isn't enough city business to meet 4 times per month, so are 8 aldermen really needed? There would be an additional savings per year of approximately $11,000 by reducing 2 aldermen.
Contact me personally if you want to sign and have not had the opportunity. I may be able to direct you to someone that lives closer to you that can stop by with a petition. It is a rare opportunity in the city of Peru that you actually have the opportunity to move this city forward to a better and more responsible government. This is not about, but I like my alderman, it is about the government taking responsibility for honestly governing this city and making aldermen responsible for more than their own ward.
Monday, December 02, 2013
The Council Had Many Expenditures on the Agenda Tonight
I did not attend the council meeting this evening so will be waiting for those who did or the local news sources to give us some clues as to how it was handled.
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