This is a phrase or group of phrases heard at city council meetings. It becomes very quiet, so quiet you could hear a mouse walking across the floor. No one comes forward to tell the council and mayor what is on their mind mostly because it would be unwelcome.
Opening the floor to you and with no time limitation please tell us what is bugging your about local government.
61 comments:
Last night I attended the rec board meeting. I was surprised when at the end of the meeting, under public comment, a gentlemen stood up and spoke. He said that he was interested in the vacancy on the board and that the mayor had instructed him to attend the meeting and introduce himself. This is all well and good but I have heard that there are other candidates for this vacancy. Did the mayor instruct them to attend the meeting? There have been quite a few vacancies lately on this board and I don't recall this happening before. It appears that the mayor may have already made his decision with regards to this position even though there are 2 more weeks left for citizens to apply. I do know for a fact that at least 2 other citizens, who have applied before, have once again shown an interest. Will they be given a fair chance? Wonder whatever happened to the list of volunteers that the mayor said he would keep and use as a guide whenever a vacancy occurred. I do know that there should be at least 2 people on that list that applied for the rec position previously.
Lois people would much rather bash the current administration anonymously on this blog rather than speak their mind and maybe suggest some solutions to current issues within our city.
6:54 Pm
If you choose to speak about something the aldermen don't want to hear, they will treat you poorly. Ask me, my comments have always been truthful and rational and yet each time, there are 2 aldermen that react irrationally. the Mayor will not defend you or control them. Therefore I understand anon, I would not want anyone else to be treated as I have.
What is your definition of poorly?? You are the one that posed the question now you are defending people's silence?? I know for a fact that if enough people present ideas or solutions perhaps the council could be influenced, but to honest with you this blog has done nothing to lend credibility to your point of view, whether it is or not, perception is reality, and the perception is you have a negative agenda and no one likes sour milk!!!
The public comment at Peru's council meetings is specifically designed to intimidate and inhibit public comment. The "stand at the front of the class" formality is deliberately designed to discourage as many folks as possible from stepping up to the podium. The great majority of people are not public speakers and the city leaders know that. It is the first step to "limit" public comment. Next comes the "Three Minute Rule" the city has implemented designed to restrict the amount of time you have before the mayor tells you your three minutes are up. Then comes the most important rule of all. The Peru council depends most heavily on the "No Questions Rule". You will be remided, if you try, that you are participating in Public Comment not Public Question & Answer.
As soon as someone attempts to hold an elected official accountable and that official is pressed to explain something the questioner will be told by Harl, "This is Public Comment, not a question and answer session". To put it simply, the game is rigged in favor of the people who get to sit up there while the member of the public is hung out to dry standing up there being told they cannot ask questions and expect Peru's elected officials to explain their decisions. That is counterproductive to transparency in government. They manipulate the public comment rules, and by doing so they prevent any constructive or open dialogue with the public.
The bottom line is, they are not interested in what you have to say and they will not allow the public to attempt to hold them accountable.
Lois, most people are not treated badly by the city council, that is false. Sometimes it might be best to approach them individually with a concern, and perhaps sometimes it is best with the group. Either way, you act like you and the bloggers are the only ones who every interest with them. I do NOT agree with all actions of the mayor and council, and who does? But I do find that people are generally treated professionally.
On the other hand you run a blog for a few anonymous, unhappy, disgruntled people to call council members horrible names and make very degrading comments. The comments on here are vile and far worse than you have ever been treated by a council member, I'm pretty sure. People recognize this, but you don't seem to get the connection.
I've said this before, but now I will either (1) not get posted or (2) if I do, have the bloggers rip me a new one for being tight with the council when nothing could be further from the truth.
6:54 is right. People say ugly things here and don't speak up. Don't blame the council for not speaking up. You have every opportunity and you complain about index cards and so forth. Who cares. Speak up or give it a rest.
6:54 If you're referring to 6:30's post I don't see where that person (anon or not) is bashing the current administration. They appear to be telling us what they witnessed and expressing their own evaluation of the situation. No where do I see where they bashed anyone. As far as suggesting a solution to that situation I think they made it quite obvious. If favoritism "is" being shown "stop it". It shouldn't have a place in politics.
Yesterday my garbage & re-cycle went in the same truck. Am I wasting my time sorting out paper & plastic, glass and metal ?
8:52. No you are not wasting your time. You have to pay to dispose of more than one can of trash. You can put all the recycle out you want for free. My advice, instead of buying garbage stickers for excess trash, just put it in the recycle bin :)
Years ago the rumor was that it was a accepted practice that politicians would receive a small percentage of the bid for construction jobs in their bailiwick.
Of course this would increase the bid. But being a accepted practice and a small percentage of a bid, this unwritten, illegal accepted practice was mostly not of public knowledge and was a unspoken about benefit among those involved.
Than the unheard of happened city's started to hire their own engineers, mostly a street and road specialist known as a civil engineer. If this civil engineer or any engineer hired was of honest makings he would become a stop gap in the process of kick backs. This of course was a rather expensive city employee to the practicing politicians which in many town and cities called for knowing who is being hired and what his guidelines in contractual bidding is. If a mistake in the hiring process was made two choices were available the first being to stop all illegal practices by this body or the more popular practice of getting rid of the snitch as soon as possible.
The hiring of a honest engineer could also be a roadblock in the very questionable practice of no bid long term agreements and quality obtained and costs suffered in these no bid agreements. It must be remembered that the smaller the number of individuals involved the more successful the above unethical practices would be. Many times you will see the number of the committees diminished and favorites of those in charge placing their favorites with the direct responsibilities of the entire proposed mission.
Many believe that Mr. Mikos was the perfect match for the success of Peru and are in wonder why he left so abruptly. If harassment and bullying are involved what are the reports of the Human Resource Manager, she surely has heard of these accusations and charges of this nature have huge penalization.
No one leaves without good reasoning and consultation, what reasoning did Mr. Mikos leave Peru under and what did the city officials give as a reason?
The position is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
they don't care plain and simple - they will bide their time listening to you but their mind is already made up.
does anybody know what is going on at the township? there used to be someone posting about their every move and now all of a sudden nothing.
Anon 6:54 Whenever you have to continuously dig into the dumpster to find a legal clause that is never been mentioned in the council chambers before such as "super majority", public comment limitations and elimination of informal council meetings in which the public could join in and express their opinions at the time that the council was discussing the subject and this is only a start you know you are doing something wrong.
Of course how else could the council maintain their pay besides voting to reduce meetings by 1/2 the number held and becoming salaried. Not bad for a administration that claims to have cut everything to the bone.
I have not utilized the public comment section of the City meetings. However, the fact that it does exist suggests that Peru is open to public comment. Your on camera for the whole world to review your comments, I don't understand why someone with those deep convictions would not want to be heard.
I remember at one meeting that I attended city residents had calls and open forms about the TEST contract. Several times Mayor Harl asked residents in attendance if they wanted to comment. I guess those who paid for automatic phone calls and wrote in the Newspaper didn't have enough conviction to address their concerns to the camera, newspaper, radio, world wide web and audience. I may be old fashion but still believe that if you take the podium your opinions are important and I am pleased that everybody has that opportunity.
9:52 more slander and many comments that have no fact.
1. When did a City in our area have construction jobs with kickbacks to politicians.
2. Who was a snitch that was gotton rid of.
3. What illegal practices are being done? Facts please.
When you make statements like these its proper to give facts to support those claims. You are attempting to cloud those reading these posts with comments like illegal. If your convinced that illegal practices are going on in your town, contact the State of Illinois Attorney General with your facts. Otherwise stop the slander.
8:26 No where have I ever read that Lois has ever stated that most people are treated badly by our council. Neither have I heard or read that there are just a few disgruntled bloggers on this site. How can you be so sure how many different people actually blog here? As far as bloggers calling city officials "horrible" names I beg to differ with that comment too. I have, however, witnessed both everyday common citizens and business owners being treated rather unprofessionally at various meetings. This is, in my opinion, politics at its worst. Our current council seems to dislike or disrespect those who disagree with them or question them. They don't even like it when one of their own questions another.
2 questions???? Do we use the same waste hauler as LaSalle,and is their recycle picked up every week? Thank you to anyone who could provide that info.
Anon 6:54
i'm all in for bashing the local council and mayor ! They only do what puts money or favors in their pockets . They have no interest in the people of Peru and their ideas , good or bad . It's all about them . If you don't think so just ask some people other then the ass kissers !!
To 8:52 I'm concerned about being "earth-friendly". Do we re-cycle or are we filling the landfill with plastic, paper, and metals ? Who oversees the scavenger ? Our previous hauler did a better job than the present one. Are we eco-friendly ?
12:23 The best way to get your recycle question answered is to ask the company picking up the refuse and recyclables. Most recycle facilities are single stream now, and separate on site. But I am unaware if any that include non recyclable in their incoming waste stream.
There may be a multi compartment truck now, or the horrible weather may have necessitated a single pick up. I do not know.
You can often see the attitude that people don't care if it gets recycled or not, and are concerned with only getting a lower bill. Filling the recycle with garbage is perfect example of the real trash on our planet- The people who don't care, use the land for themselves, trash it , go out of their way to destroy even the small amount that can be recycled.
I am always amazed the amount of outdoorsmen and nature lovers around here that drive massive unnecessary trucks and destroy the land around here...all while claiming they love nature. Have to drive farther and farther to find a decent place to hunt and fish. Can't hear the songbirds like we used to. Deforest . Destroy wetlands. Pollute as a local government. But we got our big ole trucks and assault rifles.The kids will be able to figure it all out.
Anon 10:51 When the State of Illinois Attorney General Investigative Unit tells a city government organization that it doesn't have the manpower to conduct a government conducted investigation how do you think a private person is going to results on his own. After first refusing to investigate the AG decided it could become involved if called upon.
Anon 10:51 Your questions are ridiculous and stupid, which makes many of us guessing to what is your position in City Hall? Don't deny that you are somehow associated with the city. You remind me of a Abe Lincoln quote "You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time".
Now lets hear your next question of "Who was Abe Lincoln"? No 10:51 he was not the Abe who had the LaSalle junk yard years ago! Lois where do you get these apes?
Oh, that's' right, city hall.
12:17 your comments should give some facts. Who has benefited from being a elected official? Why put a black eye on the entire City with such irresponsible postings?
In an attempt to muzzle one alderman from openly expressing his opinion on social media sites, Mayor Harl very seriously wants to implement an ordinance affecting employees and elected officials if and when and how they voice their opinions on those sites and that would include this blog. I have read the proposed ordinance and I can only ask why?
Transparency is not something to throw a black cover over, it is something to utilize to the best of your ability.
Change the Public Comment to Any Questions? Have informal meetings like the city used to and welcome diverse and sometimes questions you don't like because then you have an opportunity to resolve the issues before they become a firestorm. The mayor of Peru and a good portion of the aldermen do not know how to engage the residents in intelligent conversation and they in turn resort to trying to eliminate the sound from the residents. Does the mayor and council know that there are mayors who actually have FB pages? I have had questions answered numerous times from governments and corporations through FB, it is all about attitude.
1005. I knw they are working on a website. I also got wind today that the commish has hired mccahllini to salt his roads. Why is he doing this? Are we paying extra for this? I dont see how we cant be
3:07 your plea that its just a manpower issue is desperate. Please give us the facts. You can't possibly be under the spell of conspiracy at every corner. Another false statement you stated that the office doesn't have the manpower. You must have some actual evidence to back up your claim. Please no excuses, please no blatant lies, please no theory, just the facts. If your hearing these rumors from another, please consider the resource.
3:32
i guess lois is ignoring us.
3:32 PM
Call Bernabei and ask him or call Bartley at city hall?
Maybe even Waldorf or Lukosus of the PW committee? I don't have an answer.
8:26 am,'possibly you can start a blog site as well and be
In charge of it. If like to see how you would handle it. Do you think all your peoples blogs would be positive? I noticed your time of blog, are you on the city's time clock? City employee? When blogging? It would be interesting to know how many bloggers who blog annon. are city employees and blogging on work time and on city's computers. I would bet my last dollar this is happening! And has been.
Guarantee you Heidi blogs on city time Perhaps a FOIA of her computer data would tell us. When Harl goes she will be demoted to janitor.
@3:45PM No my explanation of a manpower issue is not a plea or is it desperate. If you would have followed the process of hiring Judge Balestri to conduct the Peru investigation and taken a interest in the "Ghost Paychecks" instead of being a "Johnny Come Lately" you would be knowledgeable to what is going on in Peru and would understand the what you are calling false statements and lies are actually fact. "JOHNNY" it is your own responsibility to research the facts on your own I don't have time to walk backwards to spoon feed you.
@3:32 Dooley you need to go to spelling school, at least Debo isn't spending our taxpayer money like oz did.
Tom h
6:23. Birds of a feather flock together. A persons friends are a reflection of who they are. Fake people hang with fake people, liars hang with liars, cheaters hang with cheaters.
6;23
how would you know? have you foia'd or looked at what he is spending money on?
4:29
what does bartley, waldorf or lukosus have to do with the township?
@12:11 Bartley, Waldorf and Lukosus all live within the township and their positions make them a guiding factor in the direction of what being done is best for the citizens, city and township.
The present attitude of most aldermen of Peru and their marking ownership of their ward which they want no one else marking a spot in and that they feel that they are not responsible for the entire city or surrounding occurrences has limited Peru. A Peru city representative should take interest in helping all of Peru and the surrounding area as city representation of other areas should take interest in helping Peru and all other areas.
Recently Washington, Illinois had a tornado and received help from all parts of the country. I take pride in being a helping hand to those in need rather than possessing the attitude of hell to them they are on the other side of the street. From time to time it doesn't hurt any of us to be reminde that helping one another is what this country is about. Does anyone remember the phase "Melting Pot of America"?
Anon 6:23 Your coming back at 3:32 a little harder than needed. He is simply asking questions that should be asked. As for his spelling, did you understand what he misspelled, I did without difficulty and believe you did also as you answered him.
I cannot understand why some people always want to justify those that presently are in office by comparing them to the previous officeholder. I believe most incumbents beat the previous officeholder on what they promised to do differently which is surely opposite of doing the same thing. As you seem knowledgeable in politics would you be kind enough to expalin how a person who has just won a election by beating a incumbent can say, "Mr. Incumbent will leave with hard shoes to fill. I'll try my best but leave your phone number on the desk. Than they proceed to go on and on. If they thought the person was so good why did they run against them? dI hope they believe they are going to be better? I just don't care for most of the Political B.S.
1:31
bartley, waldorf and lukosus a guiding factor as to what is best for us citizens? help me up off the floor after I finish my laughing attack!
Actually 623 he is. He has a full time and a part time. A recently fired ken drennon. And he is paying another
Company to plow the roads. So indeed it seems like more spending is going on. Same with harl. Laziness everywhere
Concerned voter Peter S
Does anyone know for a fact if the aldermen received their sealed envelopes with the judge's decision? If so, does anyone know the results of his investigation and if there were any recommendations or suggestions as to how the results should or could be handled?
Why has the police chief's bio been added as one of the latest downloads listed on the city web-site?
I wonder who represented the fair city of Peru at the Illinois Valley Economic Dvelopment Summit?
Perhaps they could not be bothered, too busy being open transparent and dedicated to the development of Peru.
I don't know 8:07! We had better look into this! Maybe call for an investigation to see why the police chief's bio can now be downloaded!
Does anyone remember any other city department heads bio being listed on the city web site. Chief Bernabei has a impressive resume' in his chosen vocation and it is always a positive to accept short term additional responsibilities as both Fire Chief King and the Police Chief have done.
Short Term Responsibilities are the key words which define what they felt was being assigned to them. What they themselves consider to be short term or long term is a question that they themselves would have to answer.
Since their present positions have such a importance to the safety and security of Peru and its citizens it becomes a risk to share these department heads to another department for a unintended considerable amount of time.
Alderman Waldorf should have considered their mission and its importance and been able to say that at this time where rapidly moving ahead in their search for applicants for the filling of the desired jobs, not that the unfilled position or positions do not have to be addressed for another month to month in a half. This comment raises red flags in his management ability and in particular his knowledge of what is important and unimportant.
Both Chiefs should be commended for their willingness to help Peru in the up-most way when in a tight squeeze but they should not be taken advantage of. Being that the city council only meets twice a month which means the next meeting is January 27, 2014 I expect that most of the aldermen's questions will be answered by this date and interviews have started so that Chief Bernabei and Chief King can return full time to their desired vocations.
It must be noted that the previous Civil Engineer/SPW submitted his intentions of resignation in the middle of December which upon January 27,2014 is approximately a month and a half. As most others that question the difficulty in filling of a occupation which was filled only last August what is the difficulty? If Mr. Mikos was questioned about his job in the last number of months all answers should have already been known of what particular procedures to follow in filling the position in a better and more appropriate manner. Presently it appears that because of a complete lack of foresight by the Public Works Aldermens Committee resulting in a weakened management organizational chart which they acknowledged their intention to delay any decisions to move forward for another month to month and a half all further decisions should be immediately reassigned to the Human Resource Manager and the Mayor, along with Ald. Radke who is a experienced Chemical Engineer graduating from the U of I. To complete this committee I would consider Ald. Potthoff and Ald. Perez along with The Retired Honorable Judge Balestri if he would donate his time plus members of the Infrastructure Committee which was chosen by Mayor Harl. In a couple of hours and a series of phone calls you would have a committee formed that would WANT to move forward and meet that night or the night after.
If those involved remain status quo LaSalle who is actively advertising in the local paper will have a position of Civil Engineer filled and Peru being the former "Leader of the Illinos Valley" will be still in question.
How about Bio for Fire Chief King?????????????
Anon 12:09 If Fire Chief King wants to submit a bio its fine with me, if Fire Chief does not care to enter a bio because he consider that his own business he is correct and if anyone including myself believe that submitting a bio is part of his job - their nuts!
The private life of the two chiefs is just that their private life's.
Leaders do not allow themselves to be saddled and rode around similar to a jackass and in these departments leaders are what is needed.
Two to three years ago there was a law passed that all employees who made $75,000 or above be published by name with their actual income plus their fringe benefits and value.
Why has the city failed to do this? It is a state law. Who is the elected official in charge that this publication is accomplished?
you can often judge a administrations order of importance in personnel by the order of its pay scale i.e. what is the what is the highest to the lowest of the Mayor, Budget Director,Treasurer and the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor? Also what was the comparison of salary paid to Sean Mikos against the costs of Chamlan Consulting Engineers for the same time Sean was a employee of the city? This is why numbers are important and what a budget director should be analyzing constantly? It is a very scary condition for a city and leads to financial ruin when you have a public works alderman committee that is totally represented by individuals who express a time frame of over 6 months to replace a cost saving position accomplishing as much as Sean had in his brief employment.
Peru government also hired a Insurance Consultant for $7,500/year which was never filled after the last consultant resigned? Why hasn't it ever been filled? Who is presently performing the work of the past insurance consultant?
What is the next project of the Peru Rec Committee and when is the city officials going to back the group that is trying to collect enough money for a splash pad? I mean back with the needed funds not mouth. Since it should be city money itshould be built in the best place available Centennial Park. It does not belong in a overgrown baseball field where children use the space of demolished Veterans Pool to warm up for games or would have a unsightly tower next to it. It should be relocated to the most adequate location for the year 2014 not 1927. We must start to grow with the present not with 86 year old memories.
I think Waldorf wants to push back searching for a new SPW because he knows with the results of the payroll fraud investigation, that Harl will resign. Then when Potthoff becomes mayor, the council will move forward with a search for SPW. With the way Harl treated Mikos, the council wants to make sure Harl is gone and in no way involved in the hiring process.
I think the police chief bio on the city's website is refreshing and great information to see and read, due to the fact we taxpayers pay for police chiefs salary. Therefore, it would be great to see and read our appointed fire chiefs bio, due to the fact that Harl appointed that position as full time along combining other positions and titles. There have been many questions that have arisen due to qualification, etc... A bio might possibly clarify some questions. A bio is similar to a resume. I commend our police chief for putting his bio on website. A blogger above mentioned fire chiefs bio, then another blogger later seemed to have a problem with a blogger inquiring about one. I found that strange. Isn't a bio like a resume?
Yes 8:52 a bio is like a resume about as much as a monkey is like a ape. Good luck on your next job search!
7:11 Please prove what your accusing the Mayor of. People like you , saying things you don't know anything about. 'Do you have any proof he left because of Harl? Know your facts before you state them.
I see that the Public Works committee has a meeting scheduled for Monday the 20th but nothing on the agenda indicts moving forward on hiring a SPW/engineer. Wonder why the delay!!
Also, whether the police chief's bio should be posted or not I can't answer. I see no harm in it as it is quite impressive. However, I wonder why now? Why not when he was hired?
9:03 am. Trust me, I know the facts! Sean left because he had been threatened. Harl treated him like crap and everybody else at city hall too. I have my sources and their stories were exactly the same.
1:34 PM
I believe you and not because I have heard the same information you have but because I know the character that exists in our administration and know they are not worthy of the position they hold, the bully mentality.
Who or what came out ahead when Shane left Peru? Shane because he left the city or the city because Shane left?
I have been told that the one person that Peru needed to hold onto was Shane. Reason was not that he can't be replaced but he was getting the most done in the shortest amount of time at less cost than anyone city hall has seen in as long a time as can be remembered. In fact he was the only person ever hired that had the knowledge to update Peru into the 21st century.
To get anyone near as good will cost more than $100,000!
To separate the city engineer and the SPW will cost big bucks but it must be done.
To not replace the city engineer and return to the old method will cost anywhere between $600,000 to $1,000,000 per year. If in doubt FOIA for all of Chamlins costs for the last number of years. How the airport is accounted for would be a fair question.
To rectify the present situation the city is going to have to suffer the increase in expenses no matter what the reason. If Mr. Mikos has not been employed yet I would immediately offer him a good increase in pay, try to satisfy his ideas of what was really wrong and rehire him with the hiring of a SPW of his choice. He would be in charge of the SPW. Yes very expensive but when you blow it big time you pay to rebuild big time and Mr. Mikos is now a proven, experienced and valuable ex-employee. Do you have any ideas that are better? One thing for sure the Public Works Aldermans Committee doesn't as they are 2 to 6 months from deciding what they want to do. Little Leagues regular season will be over and they will still be discussing what they want to do. Strike one, strike two, strike three and your out!
1:34 I believe you also. We HAD a very smart "kid" a graduate from the U of I who was taking the city in the right direction. And his last decision to get the hell out of Peru was his smartest.
What's going to happen with the GIS equipment that was approved for purchase? Sean knew how to use it, but depending on who gets hired, they may not know how to use it. Are we going to be paying for equipment that just sits somewhere because nobody can use it? Kinda like the mini Zamboni which is still in the box.
Are you positive that the great Zamboni is still in the box? Has the box been checked lately?
It like a dump truck or purchases for a club could be misplaced. What ever became of the cities electric truck that was too hot to drive in the summer and too cold to drive in the winter and would have to be hauled to parades because it did not have enough energy to drive to, drive in and drive back from parades?
3:43
shane who?
Anon 3:55 PM 3:44 PM here, my mistake Thank you. I meant Mr. Sean Mikos, former Superintendent of Peru Public Works, City Engineer.
Regarding bio's Wendy Davis senator from Texas, possibly a candidate for governor of Texas. She verbally herself made statements regarding how she made it in this world, etc... SHE LIED BIG TIME. People believed her until someone dug for truth. Guess what they found it. Now, Wendy is backtracking saying she should have chosen her words differently. Typical politician. Many instances a person doesn't put out a bio is because they either lie or there isn't much to put on bio. A bio/resume can be checked for truthness.
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