This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“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, September 25, 2014
City of Peru Job Description for Public Utilities Director
We have what is called head hunter agencies. For a minimum fee(yes, a couple thousand) within a week one could be hired. A head hunter would have the background to suggest to the city with concrete resumes of applicants. Evidently some people wanted more money to extend this process of hiring. Curious, do our temps have degrees of engineering?
How many resumes were received? The requirements are too numerous. I can see why Alderman Potthoff said it was set up to fail. Waldorf is ridiculous saying this was a good job description.
hmmmm.... I assumed that we would automatically hire a recruiting firm to find the candidates. We don't have the expertise on staff to make a hiring decision for this position. Oh... wait, a recruiting firm would find a qualified candidate, most likely one that is not local and actually has some degree of independent thought. Now I understand.
They all knew that this job advertisement would create a case to keep the temporary Police and Fire chief in that position. Why would the Boss and his followers want anybody else to run the city when they have their trusted well-paid chiefs.
Harl has exactly who he wants running the city, himself. He appointed King and Bernabei and that makes them bow to him. He has nobody at city hall to give him any grief.
This is a easy job for someone with a Masters in business, Degree in Civil Engineering, Degree in Electric Engineering, experience in building a hydro-electric plant, experience in electric distribution, experience with water distribution, survey experience, supervisory position of nearly 50 full-time, 50 part-time employees, software knowledge. And the ability to work 24 hour days as needed. Pay scale= whatever they pay every other department chief!
I cannot even imagine any college degreed individual working in this capacity and having to report to our mayor and the Public Service Committee. So the intelligence and certified and/or licensed professional, we so badly need in this city is moved far into the future if ever. They really need to get their heads out of the clouds down at city hall. And it appears the mayor has a stranglehold on at least 4 of the aldermen.
Outsourcing makes sense. No employee headaches. Access to the full resources of a private company with engineering and management experience. No union problems. No retirement funds to worry about (at least after the legacy employees).
Not being a engineer nor ever having a familarity with ones job description I also don't believe myself qualified to judge this job description. After a brief glance I see that having a PE after ones name is no longer a requirement. nor is a major segment of the job mentioned which is ability to negotiate, handle 1st step of a grievance and following steps, understand contracual language and all other union - management agreements of agreed to contracts and collective bargaining. This position will also have to understand all aspects of the IMEA and attend their meetings in Springfield. The 4th ward alderman is correct in saying that this description and job are set up to fail. Hopefully reasons already mentioned are not why.
there aint no way in the world will the unions allow privatization of the public works and electric department. We will shut down the city before we allow that. WE have the power so just don't even think about it!
Lasalle peru is turning into a community of highly paid city officials,teachers and administrators also highly paid police officers with the average person in lasalle peru making 10 bucks a hour in the end and the end will come the average worker in lasalle peru won't be able to afford there property taxes which will create no buyers for real estate in lasalle peru and everyone at that point loses even the folks that have been lining there pockets
Waldorf is gone!!!! I signed a petition yesterday in support of not him! Should be a fun spring for Peru....need 3 new alderman this round, city council meeting will be much more interesting
The Job Description and Qualifications as presented are very unprofessional and incomplete from a Human Resource standpoint. Many of the duties described are redundant. Somebody spent a lot of time thinking up meaningless duties in order to fill a page. The job duties listed actually fall short in listing the proper duties and responsibilities that Peru desperately needs right now. Notice how there is no mention of implementing and overseeing any type of Infrastructure Improvement Plan. No mention of executing a 5 or 10 year plan for evaluating current systems or creating a long-range plan for future improvements. No required experience in Water or Wastewater Systems Design and Operation. These job descriptions are not included because Harl, Waldorf and others are protecting what has always been the "Sacred Domain" and perpetual "Cash Cow" of the two most prominent special interests in Peru politics, TEST and Chamlin. These two parasitic companies have the most to lose if a truly qualified and capable individual were ever to take charge of Peru's Public Works. TEST and Chamlin like it just fine the way it is. With no qualified manager in charge, the decision makers are at the complete mercy of these two contractors to "advise" them. Chamlins engineers could tell Waldorf that we have to paint the Water Towers hot pink and the clueless barber would authorize the purchase of 10,000 one-gallon cans from Debo's. If TEST told Waldorf they need to build another Water Plant north of I-80 with complete office facilties for TEST, and 4 more employees on the TEST payroll, Waldorf, Lukosus, and the other knuckle-heads would tell Chamlin to start the multi-million dollar process right now and spare no expense on the engineering side. Then they would give the No-Bid construction project to Illinois Valley Excavating. Bottom line is this folks, TEST, Chamlin, and other contractors like Illinois Valley Excavating, have a little saying that best describes their realtionship with the city of Peru and it's elected officials, and it goes like this, "Chaos means Cash". The current no-nothing Mayor, Aldermen, and Super Chiefs are providing truck-loads of "CHAOS & CASH".
Why would you privatize the electric depaertment? It is the golden cash cow that Peru has lived off of since purchased in 1897? Please let's not get ridculous? Presently how would the city sell off the electric department since it is tied into the IMEA? In years to come will this association be negative?
Anon 8:01 there aint no way in the world that the unions have any say in the privatization of the public works and electric department or any other city owned facility. The union will not shut down the city nor does it have the ultimate power until the union and its membership OWN the keys to city hall, which the last I knew is owned by the City of Peru! You had best get a professional to explain your contract to you and all others who believe as you do before you are drawing your severance if you have one in the contract.
8:56 - it is easy. Just call Ameren and ask them for a bid. The IMEA association is going to end up costing us in the near future due to the "clean coal" plant fiasco. Correct me if I'm wrong, but we can sell off the assets to a private utility over a period of time - thus living up to our agreement with the IMEA. Furthermore, you are right. It is a cash cow. However, it is not being maintained correctly and we have staffing issues that the current City of Peru management are incapable of correcting. As long as we have our current form of government, the City cannot and should not manage this asset. I for one would feel safer in the long run if a professionally managed utility was in charge of electric distribution for the City of Peru. As it stands now, it is only a matter of time before the system degrades due to improper maintenance caused by short sighted politicians.
It is sad to say, but I don't trust and won't do business with any company that has "Illinois Valley" as part of its name unless it is absolutely necessary.
9:10 you'll be surprised by what we can really do. All this talk of privatizing city services is just union busting. We won't stand for it and if you do try to privatize we will make it so hard for the new company that they will beg us to organize their company.
8:10 ANON. Your reaching for leverage on this. Go to the meeting for Public works and you will find a plan. Notice that streets, curbs, sewer projects are all over. The city has a engineer on staff. And soon the city will elect a person that does water testing, so he can run the water plant. And you will still need TEST, because the person may not have all of the class licenses to operate a city plant. These things are in place and lets not get excited about what you think is going on.
You people better be careful you don't open up a can of worms that is best left closed. Everybody is comfortable - we don't need rabble rousers and do-gooders messing things up around here. It won't be good for the community if outsiders get involved!
A on 10:14, just your attitude is what is driving people away from the unions. The city employees in the Public Works were without a union up until 5 years ago and did pretty well. I would bet if the employees are giving a chance in the future, they might vote the union out, I said future because right now with Harls regime, no job is safe, under Baker it was very seldom an issue. If the right person is in place and employees are content, they would compare what the union is doing for them against what the union is costing them.
7:14 a.m. - interesting.... can you name the individual? You say we need 3 new aldermen, which one do you think we should keep since 4 seats are up for election?
The individual who stated that a certain amount of political decisions are made 2 to 3 years before a election or need be so that people have plenty of time to forget these decisions and who made the motions for them and who voted what is 110% correct. I would like to take this opportunity to give a example of these practices. Some time ago Alderman Dave "No Bid" Waldorf made a motion to renew the TEST contract. Although others showed enough interest to be physically present to showcase their competiting corporation they were rudely treated as also was a elederly lady at the council meeting. "No Bid" should be answered with a "No Vote". Seriously consider all candidates as it appears foolish to allow any incumbent another opportunity to play with Perus' future.
Anon 9:10 Al is dead, Jimmy is buired in concerte and your tastics are a embarassment to a intelligent union member. I was a union representative and I personally would not even want to work alongside of you and your lousy attitude. Most professional businessmen today are not scared to take on a union members idle threats. I doubt if you are a city employee but I don't doubt that you are one of the 3% that unions represented and cost the other 97% of us too much so they could keep you on your job which has resulted in a nationwide membership of 10%. Abuse, misuse and eventually lose. Please do all of us a favor and Shutup!
If the big shots at a union hall don't like a member, they play games with those who they don't like being as offering them the jobs that nobody wants to take, games are sometimes played with the "list" at the union halls. I could go on and on 11:56. I know this because I grew up in a a union family. Many of my family were union workers, some retired, some still working. I'm disgusted sometimes hearing the talk at gatherings. Some are hard workers, some are lazy . Who is worth $35-$75 per hour? Illinois should be a right to work state.
I blame one of those running for re-election for the privatization of all those city services--Potthoff. We don't like his penny pinching ways and how those private companies have screwed up.
3:45 - and little by little things are getting better. There is a town in Georgia that privatized everything but the Police and Fire Departments. The citizens of this town are very happy.
I see Lasalle county democrats are busy filling seats on the committee as political favors...two city employees on the committee now..and the chief of police the mayor the twp accessor...somethjng sticks in peru...shady
8:15 - it is an example of the strangle hold that the Democrat Party and Progressives have on our community. The Republicans and Conservatives are busy taking care of themselves and their families while the Liberal Progressives are busy putting their nose in everyone's business and sucking the taxpayers dry.
9:17 Always a pleasure to see the Ozzie and Harriet pablum simplifying all life to the Archie Bunker mentality.
God forbid we would just point out the extremely flawed individuals who live around here, vote, and are in public service. Much more convenient to blame labels and promote agendas and keep the class war going.
1:12 - Nope. The Democrats see government as a way of life. At one time, the Republicans saw government as a necessary evil. Now the Republicans are pretty much the same as the Democrats - leaving fringe groups like the Tea Party and the Libertarians as the only alternative for anyone that desires as little government as possible.
2:25 The haves, the lucky , the privileged, the ones with the swords or AK47s, Have always wanted as little government as possible. Its an old refrain. People who have their daddy authority issues, their guns and money have been crying let us be in every society since the dawn of civilization.
Its not the democratic party, but the rise in tribal extremists on both sides, the loss of moderates in both parties, that has made compromise and progress impossible. Revolution, blah blah, like you are something new, or calling us back to an imaginary golden age. It has never been more government that has stood in the way of progress. it has ALWAYS been wrong government. From getting us wars, to out of control entitlements, to protectionism, raping the environment,and then ignoring the disenfranchised, there is plenty of blame to go around all parties.
The Tea Party, the libertarians, the Nader party... all the outlying idealist complainers always have had all the answers. Just never the votes. If not for the strength of the statesman who came before, trust me, we would be close to mad religious extremists committing atrocities in the name of whatever the God du jour here might be. Seceding, forming their own little worlds within our borders.
Our Illinois patronage is some of the worst in the world, Ill grant you. But its money and greed and just damn weak evil leaders, not democrats or republicans or any system. Its low voter turn out and negative campaigning.
But here in Peru, its just plain bad folk leading lazy folk. Dont over complicate it.
4:15 - what are you smoking. you are right about one thing, the Democrats are lazy - you can put the socialist trade unionists in with them. I'm voting Libertarian.
4:15 PM, next you will be waxing on about how the "needs of the many out way the needs of the few or one" and other such nonsense. The United States was founded by individuals tired of governments holding back their ability to better themselves; free from interference. That is why we hold INDIVIDUAL rights so dear. The Progressive Democrats want a society in which everyone is equal, but they have perverted the definition of equality. They have turned it into sort of metaphysical equality, an equality of attributes and virtues, regardless of individual choice, character, and performance. They seek laws to compensate for INDIVIDUAL short fallings, propping some up and holding others down. All men are NOT equal. This goes against nature. The world is unfair, as it ought to be. American “Equality” is only a political term: it means equality before the law, the equality of INDIVIDUAL rights which every man possesses by virtue of birth. These rights are not given to us by any government – although they have been enumerated in the American Bill of Rights. On the contrary, we ALLOW government to do certain things for us. The Progressives want to, and have to a certain extent, turned that around. They desire a society in which the government allows us to do certain things; totally opposite to the founding principles of our country.
7:42 "All men are not equal, it goes against nature."
In my opinion, all men and women are equal. To hold any other tenet, or to fail to build a government that both promotes individual equality and opportunity, as well as to defend and protect the weak goes against God and the first paragraphs of our constitution.
Be careful. Your fascism and budding revolutionist slip is showing. Don't need to quote Star Trek to smell an ultra conservative.
Like I said, I can disagree with you and still think this little piece of the world here is not being ruined by democrats or unions, just bad leaders. You want to blame main stream parties and twist the constitution for the easy way out, feel free to start shooting/ imprisoning the liberal college teachers and putting those feeble minded unequal handicapped folks away to die out of our sight, like the Stalinists did and North Korea does to this day.
Me, I'd rather stop arguing high politics and get a decent bid on water treatment.
9:29, all men and women are equal before the law. They are NOT equal in talent, intelligence, and beauty just to name a few. The egalitarianism advocated by the liberals / progressives want to hold some people back in an attempt to prop others up. Redistribution of wealth from the haves to the have notes is only one example. It is natural in this world that some people win and some people loose. These ideas should in no way be confused with fascism. This is the often cried weapon of last resort of the liberal. Accuse someone of being a Nazi or a racist - when in fact they themselves are more closely defined as such.
9:29, why do you need a "decent bid on water treatment" if everyone is equal? It should just go to the next company in line or the one with the most need. Maybe even pay more to prop that company up a little because it is "disadvantaged." That is the equality that the liberals advocate.
These bad leaders take their instructions from the Illinois Democrat Party and the unions that support them. As pointed out, the quote from the fantasy Star Trek is nonsense.
The trade unionists and liberals pander to the underachievers by spewing nonsense like the Spock quote. The further their stranglehold on society by telling people their shortcomings are not their fault and they are entitled to TAKE from those that produce. In their mind, the Producers are not worthy of compensation, rather they need to be forced to distribute the fruits of their labor to those that refuse to work to the best of their abilities. I have worked in union shops. Working through a break is a crime that causes reprimand, even if it is to the benefit to the customer that needs the goods. Doing the work of what is arbitrarily deemed the work of two men is now considered a sin instead of a virtue. It is no wonder that the primary job on a construction sight is holding up shovels. There is no reward for working hard or above what is expected if you work in a union shop.
The job listed is not being done at this time. Why would city leaders want to get-by with a police and fire chief? Is the job that easy that the city can fill with a couple of part-time chiefs?
working through break and doing more work or work that is not required by your job title causes somebody else not to have a job. This should not be allowed and that is why we have unions. Once thing we can do is make it a law that the owners of a business cannot make more than the highest paid rank and file worker.
The best way to defuse comments is to go on the ideology rampage of democrats vs republicans. Or union vs non-union. For a few more dollars the job is getting done by in-house professionals.
10:25, what are you smoking??? "in house professionals," I can assure your with positivity some are not professionals in what they were appointed to and accepted. Scary that people accept when they don't have the proper training nor the experience, nor certifications- on and on and on!
9:55 Great idea, that way we will never have anybody willing to take a risk to build a business. I doubt you have ever worked through a break and believe you union dues will give you higher pay. The truth of the matter is that you pay those dues to elect those same people to office that have a D after their names. How has that been working?
As a rule the city council, at least most don't have a clue as there are least 4 who do whatever the Mayor says. When he says jump, they say how high? It is very sad
Back to the topic at hand. Is there any real reason why the services provided by the Electric Department, Water Department, and Public Works Department can't be 100% outsourced? It sounds logical to me that the private sector would be able to perform these functions, releasing the City of the management and overhead (employee) responsibilities. I think that removing the responsibility of employee management alone would pay huge dividends. It could even save money in the long run. Probably not initially, but in the long run.
2:01 would not mean a hill of beans to me if my paycheck came from the City of XXXX or XXXX Inc. However, the insurance and retirement would be a sticking point. Employees should not have to pay for insurance.
2:01 I agree that it outsourcing would save lots of money. Just the pensions alone for city workers are outrageous. 18% for retirement is very high, most places of employment are lucky to give 5%. That amount alone would save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It would be a real boost to the economy if people did not have to pay for insurance or make retirement contributions. Everyone would have extra money, which they would spend. The employers would just need to pick up the slack and pay the entire cost of retirement and medical. No big deal really since I keep hearing that American business is sitting on piles of cash.
2:01 its a sad state of affairs when you are looking to rid yourself of a entire city because they can't seem to find competent managers. Its starts at the top and voters in the City of Peru voted for the current Mayor for the last five years. It may be remorse by some. Give this Mayor credit he has the magic number of voters and city elected alderpersons to agree with those decisions. He must have some magic formula to convince all to agree.
3:15, only 34% of the electorate voted for him. Far from a mandate. I believe a valuable lesson was learned and the playing field won't be as large next time. However, the Boss may just front a couple of ghost candidates just to dilute the anti Harl vote. After all, he is taking lessons from the Springfield power brokers.
Please create something for someone. And you will be rewarded with that paycheck. Too many are looking for the free ride and thinking that you are owed a living. Start a business, learn a skill and don't rely upon others or politicians to invent a paycheck for you.
3:11 Whats the difference between you and those who sign your check. The difference is that they own the business and created a job for you to contribute. If you think someone owes you, you will be outsourced very soon. Attitude in everything, give your employer a good days wage and be a part of the organization.
Anon 4:09, and you don't think An alderman is using the same ploy by having his only supporter on the council previous to the last election run against him, this is called political tactics. This probably won't make the blog!
Illinois politicians have a history of hiring unqualified people to fill positions. These unqualified people in turn spend money as directed by their Bosses.
Here is a recent report from the Illinois News Network: "The long-time directors of both Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair were disciplined recently for unethical conduct, have operated their event at a financial loss and come from political backgrounds with no professional experience managing fairs before taking their jobs with the Illinois Department of Agriculture."
Boss Harl is simply following the example of his mentors - Boss Madigan and Boss Cullerton. He has turned the management of Peru's Public Works and Electric Departments (as well as Police and Fire) into patronage jobs - high salaries, no experience necessary. Gota spread around the pork fat if your going to get any ware in Illinois. My prediction - these two gentlemen are going to start rising in LaSalle County politics. Won't surprise me if we get a couple new Democrats on the County Board. As long as they spread the fat to connected crony businesses, they are set for life.
you can download a petition on line or pick one up at the Clerk's office. Google Illinois State Board of Elections - it has all the information you need.
Lasalle County Politics- I highly doubt it for both, possibly one. Amazing how people with no brains can't see through a glass window. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Ask questions of people who know the answers about people.
10:49; Frank Mautino has managed to be keep his seat for eons and he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Why don't you think the local voters would cast their vote "one of them" for a seat on the County Board?
Is the party that desperate that they would place those on the ticket? And what does that say about voters? If you place a Democrat after anybody's name, does that mean they are qualified and you should vote for them. Most offices have no bearing on the political affiliation. Only feeble minds vote for the party line. I do notice that a number of local/town individuals take advantage of the Democrat/union label and make themselves precinct chairman. Its a sham. Townships, County Boards and even small towns like Peru tout that party label. Personally, I would not vote for anyone with the party label and is influenced by the any party. If they can't stand on their own don't vote for them.
11:18 - it is almost impossible to get on the ballot for the Township or the County if you are not nominated by the Democrat or Republican Party. In LaSalle-Peru, most voters pay little if any attention to what is happening locally. They either vote for the party or they vote for a name that sounds like somebody they might have gone to school with. It is also sad to say that many people in LaSalle-Peru vote the Democrat ticket because "FDR got us out of the Depression" or other such nonsense. On average, we are not a well educated electorate here "In the Valley" which explains how Frank Mautino continues to win.
Don't forget yard signs 12:39. If you don't litter the town with yard signs you don't stand a chance with voters around here. I think the requirement is about ten signs per vote.
Since there doesn't appear that there is going to be a Public Utilities meeting this week and there is no council meeting until Oct. 6th has any heard whether or not the new finance officer has started his duties yet? If so, do we have a name yet?
Maybe there is a problem and the new finance person can't trace his or her lineage to a City of Peru resident back five generations. Can't run the risk of any outside influence in the government of Peru dontcha know.
Anon 10:56, these types of comments are ridiculous and make the blog look idiotic . You don't even know who this person is and his or her credentials, but you think they are as dumb as a box of rocks, grow up and act like an adult with your comments, this isn't grade school. These are the type of comments Lois shouldn't post.
11:33, you might have confirmed what everyone suspects by saying "her." If it is true, then its just another crony appointment.
and besides, it is fun.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Wonder if it a person who works at a financial institution and hangs out regularly at a local bar. Wonder if any fringe benefits are in the works? Just saying people do talk, and some people need to wake up.
Why not 11:33, could be true. I like the truth even if the truth sounds like a grade schooler. It seems to me that the city doesn't care what a persons resume looks like when hiring people after reading this blog site. Does the city ever mention a persons true resume? My boss tells me Ive been doing a good job also. We do need people who are qualified to run departments and people who are voted in as alderman to represent the taxpayers, without there being hidden agendas. 11:33, what is your opinion on all the closed sessions since Harls administration? Wow. I've always understood closed sessions happen to discuss employees, which is confidential information, which I understand. Do we have that many problems?
5:57 I personally believe that these closed sessions have gotten way out of hand and are a method of keeping the public uninformed. Unless we have that many problems with our personal why else would we continue meeting after meeting having closed sessions? And, once the issues discussed in these sessions have been resolved why aren't the minutes being posted as required? And, if we are having that much trouble with our personal then we have a much bigger problem.
10:59, you must remember that the Open Meetings Act (in Illinois anyway) was created by Chicago Democrats as a way to legally hold secret meetings. It is made to make people think they have an open government, all the while giving politicians a blue print to keep the public in the dark. The Illinois Open Meetings Act should be changed to the Guide for Hiding Government Activities from the Public.
11:36 It is obvious that Democrat and Chicago are defined by you as Satan. You become ludicrous and xenophobic (sceered o the big city).
The Open Meetings Act was modeled after a nationwide standard , and is quite effective IF you have a PAC and AG who is aggressive in enforcing it, as well as the FOIA. I think Kristy has some comments on the effectiveness or lack thereof in that office.
In Illinois, that is currently not the case. I am not a Democrat, and feel comfortable in stating that Madigan as a name in our Illinois Government SHOULD be removed. But I think many other democrats are fine, and agree with many of the planks of the party.
So you can call me RINO or what other label you have. But I stand with the OMA and if a few more citizens arrested the violators under citizens arrest, we might actually get some action. Problem is our Police Chief would automatically side with the City SINCE he oversees half of it!
When are all of you going to learn to pay your taxes and shut up. If you don't like things the way they are call your alderman. He will have all the answers for you and possibly have a written reply already prepared. Please do not interrupt him as he most likely will lose tract of what he is reading.
I hate to inform you 1:20, but all of us who pay our taxes, probably in turn pays your salary. Are you a city employee? I would expect a "no" from you from my question. And, yes, pretty sure the city doesn't like people or this blog site because we all know how they operate. Not in a good way.
Anon 3:26PM from 1:20PM No I am not a city employee, I was just making a attempt to be satirical and at the same time cite a true experience. Back to the drawing board. Possibility it is time to call in the A of DS, or John Galt for help.
7:38, this is 3:26, I did understand and interrupted your comment as you stated it. Thank You for answering my question. Sadly most of the time we who blog and ask questions on this forum don't get answers. We are told to contact the person personally being it be an alderman, department head, chief of a department. I think this is a cop out of an answer, because answering the question on here would make people think a little more and more descrepencies/secrets/ might arise. A bully tactic possibly or repercussions on a face to face, phone call, letter or signing ones name on this forum. True?
A of DS here. I apologize for taking a step back from the blog. As you know, the deer are becoming very active, and with all the political signs around here, well its really been hell spotting them.
And I also was miffed when someone down at the city hall put a note by my twinkies that called me a Committee asahole. Turned out it was a typo and they were inviting me to report at one of the committee as a whole meetings during a closed session. I was pretty miffed though, and stayed in my deer bunker for almost a week. And I can never remember the secret handshake and knock to get into the closed sessions anyway.
Deer Spotting, like our Mayors agenda and new donut shops, is no laughing matter. Luckily the mayor agrees and We may end up being funded in a new and creative way, as the engineering firm seems to think our activities could be billed as part of a new airport fence. They have to figure out a way to bill it below the new backyard pools for needy public servants, and the new "computers for a cause" fundraisers to support people adversely affected by tragically lost council videos. Some felt the proceeds would go toward buying them Peru home grown union medical marijuana so they could "chill". You have to love how we all support a good cause, and I know there is none more important than Deer Spotting. Except maybe voting. And I know people here will put all their money behind getting our votes. Our town has always had the best candidates and trucks money can buy, and that will never change!
Ambassador of Deer Spotting, 1:20PM - 7:38PM here: Appreciate your watching my back in a already time of your busy season. Apology accepted as I personally realize that your designated mission is of such importance that all should realize one title at a time done well is all a titleholder should accept. As for pay I would appreciate a little "hush hush" time and between me, you and the fence pole .............! Thanks again, always my pleasure hearing from you
Oh, you are so welcomed back Ambassador of Deer Spotting. A lot has happened in the last 9 months here in Peru, the leader of the illinois valley. I hope your slapping sticks are still in good condition. I truly miss your humorous blogs. How true are they if one is smart enough to read between the lines. Enjoy Burgoo fest in Utica tomorrow, maybe there is venison in that stew.
112 comments:
This is three jobs.
Job was advertised in the following:
News Tribune
IMUA/IMEA
Illinois Municipal League
APPA (American Public Power Association)
Public Works Jobs Online
We have what is called head hunter agencies. For a minimum fee(yes, a couple thousand) within a week one could be hired. A head hunter would have the background to suggest to the city with concrete resumes of applicants. Evidently some people wanted more money to extend this process of hiring. Curious, do our temps have degrees of engineering?
How many resumes were received? The requirements are too numerous. I can see why Alderman Potthoff said it was set up to fail. Waldorf is ridiculous saying this was a good job description.
Requirements not needed: TRANSPARENCY.
hmmmm.... I assumed that we would automatically hire a recruiting firm to find the candidates. We don't have the expertise on staff to make a hiring decision for this position. Oh... wait, a recruiting firm would find a qualified candidate, most likely one that is not local and actually has some degree of independent thought. Now I understand.
They all knew that this job advertisement would create a case to keep the temporary Police and Fire chief in that position. Why would the Boss and his followers want anybody else to run the city when they have their trusted well-paid chiefs.
This is where LaSalle excelled, they hired a head hunting firm to fill the Public Works position.
Harl has exactly who he wants running the city, himself. He appointed King and Bernabei and that makes them bow to him. He has nobody at city hall to give him any grief.
Another reason why we need to change to a Council-Manager form of government.
Would be a lot more informative if you could read it. Why don't you scan it full size? Can't even read it with a microscope.
Who remembers the three stooges show?
This is a easy job for someone with a Masters in business, Degree in Civil Engineering, Degree in Electric Engineering, experience in building a hydro-electric plant, experience in electric distribution, experience with water distribution, survey experience, supervisory position of nearly 50 full-time, 50 part-time employees, software knowledge. And the ability to work 24 hour days as needed.
Pay scale= whatever they pay every other department chief!
The answer is outsourcing the whole bloody thing. There are private companies that specialize in this.
I cannot even imagine any college degreed individual working in this capacity and having to report to our mayor and the Public Service Committee. So the intelligence and certified and/or licensed professional, we so badly need in this city is moved far into the future if ever. They really need to get their heads out of the clouds down at city hall. And it appears the mayor has a stranglehold on at least 4 of the aldermen.
Outsourcing makes sense. No employee headaches. Access to the full resources of a private company with engineering and management experience. No union problems. No retirement funds to worry about (at least after the legacy employees).
Not being a engineer nor ever having a familarity with ones job description I also don't believe myself qualified to judge this job description.
After a brief glance I see that having a PE after ones name is no longer a requirement. nor is a major segment of the job mentioned which is ability to negotiate, handle 1st step of a grievance and following steps, understand contracual language and all other union - management agreements of agreed to contracts and collective bargaining.
This position will also have to understand all aspects of the IMEA and attend their meetings in Springfield.
The 4th ward alderman is correct in saying that this description and job are set up to fail. Hopefully reasons already mentioned are not why.
there aint no way in the world will the unions allow privatization of the public works and electric department. We will shut down the city before we allow that. WE have the power so just don't even think about it!
Lasalle peru is turning into a community of highly paid city officials,teachers and administrators also highly paid police officers with the average person in lasalle peru making 10 bucks a hour in the end and the end will come the average worker in lasalle peru won't be able to afford there property taxes which will create no buyers for real estate in lasalle peru and everyone at that point loses even the folks that have been lining there pockets
Waldorf is gone!!!! I signed a petition yesterday in support of not him! Should be a fun spring for Peru....need 3 new alderman this round, city council meeting will be much more interesting
Go ahead and shut down the city and see if you still have jobs and a paycheck after.
The Job Description and Qualifications as presented are very unprofessional and incomplete from a Human Resource standpoint.
Many of the duties described are redundant. Somebody spent a lot of time thinking up meaningless duties in order to fill a page. The job duties listed actually fall short in listing the proper duties and responsibilities that Peru desperately needs right now. Notice how there is no mention of implementing and overseeing any type of Infrastructure Improvement Plan. No mention of executing a 5 or 10 year plan for evaluating current systems or creating a long-range plan for future improvements. No required experience in Water or Wastewater Systems Design and Operation. These job descriptions are not included because Harl, Waldorf and others are protecting what has always been the "Sacred Domain" and perpetual "Cash Cow" of the two most prominent special interests in Peru politics, TEST and Chamlin. These two parasitic companies have the most to lose if a truly qualified and capable individual were ever to take charge of Peru's Public Works. TEST and Chamlin like it just fine the way it is. With no qualified manager in charge, the decision makers are at the complete mercy of these two contractors to "advise" them. Chamlins engineers could tell Waldorf that we have to paint the Water Towers hot pink and the clueless barber would authorize the purchase of 10,000 one-gallon cans from Debo's. If TEST told Waldorf they need to build another Water Plant north of I-80 with complete office facilties for TEST, and 4 more employees on the TEST payroll, Waldorf, Lukosus, and the other knuckle-heads would tell Chamlin to start the multi-million dollar process right now and spare no expense on the engineering side. Then they would give the No-Bid construction project to Illinois Valley Excavating.
Bottom line is this folks, TEST, Chamlin, and other contractors like Illinois Valley Excavating, have a little saying that best describes their realtionship with the city of Peru and it's elected officials, and it goes like this, "Chaos means Cash". The current no-nothing Mayor, Aldermen, and Super Chiefs are providing truck-loads of "CHAOS & CASH".
Why would you privatize the electric depaertment? It is the golden cash cow that Peru has lived off of since purchased in 1897? Please let's not get ridculous? Presently how would the city sell off the electric department since it is tied into the IMEA? In years to come will this association be negative?
Anon 8:01 there aint no way in the world that the unions have any say in the privatization of the public works and electric department or any other city owned facility. The union will not shut down the city nor does it have the ultimate power until the union and its membership OWN the keys to city hall, which the last I knew is owned by the City of Peru! You had best get a professional to explain your contract to you and all others who believe as you do before you are drawing your severance if you have one in the contract.
The 9/8/14 council meeting video is finally on the city website!
8:56 - it is easy. Just call Ameren and ask them for a bid. The IMEA association is going to end up costing us in the near future due to the "clean coal" plant fiasco. Correct me if I'm wrong, but we can sell off the assets to a private utility over a period of time - thus living up to our agreement with the IMEA.
Furthermore, you are right. It is a cash cow. However, it is not being maintained correctly and we have staffing issues that the current City of Peru management are incapable of correcting. As long as we have our current form of government, the City cannot and should not manage this asset. I for one would feel safer in the long run if a professionally managed utility was in charge of electric distribution for the City of Peru. As it stands now, it is only a matter of time before the system degrades due to improper maintenance caused by short sighted politicians.
It is sad to say, but I don't trust and won't do business with any company that has "Illinois Valley" as part of its name unless it is absolutely necessary.
9:10 you'll be surprised by what we can really do. All this talk of privatizing city services is just union busting. We won't stand for it and if you do try to privatize we will make it so hard for the new company that they will beg us to organize their company.
8:10 ANON. Your reaching for leverage on this. Go to the meeting for Public works and you will find a plan. Notice that streets, curbs, sewer projects are all over. The city has a engineer on staff. And soon the city will elect a person that does water testing, so he can run the water plant. And you will still need TEST, because the person may not have all of the class licenses to operate a city plant. These things are in place and lets not get excited about what you think is going on.
You people better be careful you don't open up a can of worms that is best left closed. Everybody is comfortable - we don't need rabble rousers and do-gooders messing things up around here. It won't be good for the community if outsiders get involved!
A on 10:14, just your attitude is what is driving people away from the unions. The city employees in the Public Works were without a union up until 5 years ago and did pretty well. I would bet if the employees are giving a chance in the future, they might vote the union out, I said future because right now with Harls regime, no job is safe, under Baker it was very seldom an issue. If the right person is in place and employees are content, they would compare what the union is doing for them against what the union is costing them.
8:10 We will need those unions to do the painting, will 150 donate the paint in addition to the election signs?
Part of the Public Works dept has already been privatized. Grass cutting and flower bed maintenance. I could see it happening in other areas as well.
1022 I see your probably lining your pockets off peru taxpayers its evident
WE should privatize the snow plowing this winter. No need to be paying overtime or "comp time" on high wages for this.
7:14 a.m. - interesting.... can you name the individual? You say we need 3 new aldermen, which one do you think we should keep since 4 seats are up for election?
The individual who stated that a certain amount of political decisions are made 2 to 3 years before a election or need be so that people have plenty of time to forget these decisions and who made the motions for them and who voted what is 110% correct.
I would like to take this opportunity to give a example of these practices. Some time ago Alderman Dave "No Bid" Waldorf made a motion to renew the TEST contract. Although others showed enough interest to be physically present to showcase their competiting corporation they were rudely treated as also was a elederly lady at the council meeting. "No Bid" should be answered with a "No Vote". Seriously consider all candidates as it appears foolish to allow any incumbent another opportunity to play with Perus' future.
Anon 9:10 Al is dead, Jimmy is buired in concerte and your tastics are a embarassment to a intelligent union member. I was a union representative and I personally would not even want to work alongside of you and your lousy attitude.
Most professional businessmen today are not scared to take on a union members idle threats.
I doubt if you are a city employee but I don't doubt that you are one of the 3% that unions represented and cost the other 97% of us too much so they could keep you on your job which has resulted in a nationwide membership of 10%. Abuse, misuse and eventually lose. Please do all of us a favor and Shutup!
11:30 I would keep Potthoff if he runs.
If the big shots at a union hall don't like a member, they play games with those who they don't like being as offering them the jobs that nobody wants to take, games are sometimes played with the "list" at the union halls. I could go on and on 11:56. I know this because I grew up in a a union family. Many of my family were union workers, some retired, some still working. I'm disgusted sometimes hearing the talk at gatherings. Some are hard workers, some are lazy . Who is worth $35-$75 per hour? Illinois should be a right to work state.
10:22 Where did you get the idea that the city is going to hire an individual to do the water testing? Isn't that what we pay TEST to do?
Also 10:46 don't forget we privatized picking up the lawn bags!
I blame one of those running for re-election for the privatization of all those city services--Potthoff. We don't like his penny pinching ways and how those private companies have screwed up.
12:51 Little by little the city is being run by private companies.
3:45 - and little by little things are getting better. There is a town in Georgia that privatized everything but the Police and Fire Departments. The citizens of this town are very happy.
I see Lasalle county democrats are busy filling seats on the committee as political favors...two city employees on the committee now..and the chief of police the mayor the twp accessor...somethjng sticks in peru...shady
Thank you for re-scanning this. Far more readable now (even though it looks like something thrown together by an amateur fifth grader)
8:15 - it is an example of the strangle hold that the Democrat Party and Progressives have on our community. The Republicans and Conservatives are busy taking care of themselves and their families while the Liberal Progressives are busy putting their nose in everyone's business and sucking the taxpayers dry.
9:17 Always a pleasure to see the Ozzie and Harriet pablum simplifying all life to the Archie Bunker mentality.
God forbid we would just point out the extremely flawed individuals who live around here, vote, and are in public service. Much more convenient to blame labels and promote agendas and keep the class war going.
1:12 - Nope. The Democrats see government as a way of life. At one time, the Republicans saw government as a necessary evil. Now the Republicans are pretty much the same as the Democrats - leaving fringe groups like the Tea Party and the Libertarians as the only alternative for anyone that desires as little government as possible.
2:25 The haves, the lucky , the privileged, the ones with the swords or AK47s, Have always wanted as little government as possible. Its an old refrain. People who have their daddy authority issues, their guns and money have been crying let us be in every society since the dawn of civilization.
Its not the democratic party, but the rise in tribal extremists on both sides, the loss of moderates in both parties, that has made compromise and progress impossible. Revolution, blah blah, like you are something new, or calling us back to an imaginary golden age. It has never been more government that has stood in the way of progress. it has ALWAYS been wrong government. From getting us wars, to out of control entitlements, to protectionism, raping the environment,and then ignoring the disenfranchised, there is plenty of blame to go around all parties.
The Tea Party, the libertarians, the Nader party... all the outlying idealist complainers always have had all the answers. Just never the votes. If not for the strength of the statesman who came before, trust me, we would be close to mad religious extremists committing atrocities in the name of whatever the God du jour here might be. Seceding, forming their own little worlds within our borders.
Our Illinois patronage is some of the worst in the world, Ill grant you. But its money and greed and just damn weak evil leaders, not democrats or republicans or any system. Its low voter turn out and negative campaigning.
But here in Peru, its just plain bad folk leading lazy folk. Dont over complicate it.
4:15 - what are you smoking. you are right about one thing, the Democrats are lazy - you can put the socialist trade unionists in with them.
I'm voting Libertarian.
4:15, I prefer the AR-15 platform over the AK-47. IMO, it is much more accurate and the ammunition supply is more reliable.
4:15 PM, next you will be waxing on about how the "needs of the many out way the needs of the few or one" and other such nonsense. The United States was founded by individuals tired of governments holding back their ability to better themselves; free from interference. That is why we hold INDIVIDUAL rights so dear. The Progressive Democrats want a society in which everyone is equal, but they have perverted the definition of equality. They have turned it into sort of metaphysical equality, an equality of attributes and virtues, regardless of individual choice, character, and performance. They seek laws to compensate for INDIVIDUAL short fallings, propping some up and holding others down. All men are NOT equal. This goes against nature. The world is unfair, as it ought to be. American “Equality” is only a political term: it means equality before the law, the equality of INDIVIDUAL rights which every man possesses by virtue of birth. These rights are not given to us by any government – although they have been enumerated in the American Bill of Rights. On the contrary, we ALLOW government to do certain things for us. The Progressives want to, and have to a certain extent, turned that around. They desire a society in which the government allows us to do certain things; totally opposite to the founding principles of our country.
7:42 "All men are not equal, it goes against nature."
In my opinion, all men and women are equal. To hold any other tenet, or to fail to build a government that both promotes individual equality and opportunity, as well as to defend and protect the weak goes against God and the first paragraphs of our constitution.
Be careful. Your fascism and budding revolutionist slip is showing. Don't need to quote Star Trek to smell an ultra conservative.
Like I said, I can disagree with you and still think this little piece of the world here is not being ruined by democrats or unions, just bad leaders. You want to blame main stream parties and twist the constitution for the easy way out, feel free to start shooting/ imprisoning the liberal college teachers and putting those feeble minded unequal handicapped folks away to die out of our sight, like the Stalinists did and North Korea does to this day.
Me, I'd rather stop arguing high politics and get a decent bid on water treatment.
9:29, all men and women are equal before the law. They are NOT equal in talent, intelligence, and beauty just to name a few. The egalitarianism advocated by the liberals / progressives want to hold some people back in an attempt to prop others up. Redistribution of wealth from the haves to the have notes is only one example.
It is natural in this world that some people win and some people loose.
These ideas should in no way be confused with fascism. This is the often cried weapon of last resort of the liberal. Accuse someone of being a Nazi or a racist - when in fact they themselves are more closely defined as such.
9:29, why do you need a "decent bid on water treatment" if everyone is equal? It should just go to the next company in line or the one with the most need. Maybe even pay more to prop that company up a little because it is "disadvantaged." That is the equality that the liberals advocate.
These bad leaders take their instructions from the Illinois Democrat Party and the unions that support them. As pointed out, the quote from the fantasy Star Trek is nonsense.
The trade unionists and liberals pander to the underachievers by spewing nonsense like the Spock quote. The further their stranglehold on society by telling people their shortcomings are not their fault and they are entitled to TAKE from those that produce. In their mind, the Producers are not worthy of compensation, rather they need to be forced to distribute the fruits of their labor to those that refuse to work to the best of their abilities. I have worked in union shops. Working through a break is a crime that causes reprimand, even if it is to the benefit to the customer that needs the goods. Doing the work of what is arbitrarily deemed the work of two men is now considered a sin instead of a virtue. It is no wonder that the primary job on a construction sight is holding up shovels. There is no reward for working hard or above what is expected if you work in a union shop.
The job listed is not being done at this time. Why would city leaders want to get-by with a police and fire chief? Is the job that easy that the city can fill with a couple of part-time chiefs?
working through break and doing more work or work that is not required by your job title causes somebody else not to have a job. This should not be allowed and that is why we have unions. Once thing we can do is make it a law that the owners of a business cannot make more than the highest paid rank and file worker.
The best way to defuse comments is to go on the ideology rampage of democrats vs republicans. Or union vs non-union. For a few more dollars the job is getting done by in-house professionals.
10:25, what are you smoking??? "in house professionals," I can assure your with positivity some are not professionals in what they were appointed to and accepted. Scary that people accept when they don't have the proper training nor the experience, nor certifications- on and on and on!
10:54 The city council who is more involved feels that the in house professionals are performing.
9:55 Great idea, that way we will never have anybody willing to take a risk to build a business. I doubt you have ever worked through a break and believe you union dues will give you higher pay. The truth of the matter is that you pay those dues to elect those same people to office that have a D after their names. How has that been working?
11:25 AM
As a rule the city council, at least most don't have a clue as there are least 4 who do whatever the Mayor says. When he says jump, they say how high? It is very sad
The city council are not professionals in the field for crying out loud, so they do a bow and a queens/kings wave.
9:55, seriously, do you live in the land of the free or the land of rejects?
Back to the topic at hand. Is there any real reason why the services provided by the Electric Department, Water Department, and Public Works Department can't be 100% outsourced?
It sounds logical to me that the private sector would be able to perform these functions, releasing the City of the management and overhead (employee) responsibilities. I think that removing the responsibility of employee management alone would pay huge dividends. It could even save money in the long run. Probably not initially, but in the long run.
2:01 would not mean a hill of beans to me if my paycheck came from the City of XXXX or XXXX Inc. However, the insurance and retirement would be a sticking point. Employees should not have to pay for insurance.
2:01 I agree that it outsourcing would save lots of money. Just the pensions alone for city workers are outrageous. 18% for retirement is very high, most places of employment are lucky to give 5%. That amount alone would save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It would be a real boost to the economy if people did not have to pay for insurance or make retirement contributions. Everyone would have extra money, which they would spend. The employers would just need to pick up the slack and pay the entire cost of retirement and medical. No big deal really since I keep hearing that American business is sitting on piles of cash.
2:01 its a sad state of affairs when you are looking to rid yourself of a entire city because they can't seem to find competent managers. Its starts at the top and voters in the City of Peru voted for the current Mayor for the last five years. It may be remorse by some. Give this Mayor credit he has the magic number of voters and city elected alderpersons to agree with those decisions. He must have some magic formula to convince all to agree.
all I want is a paycheck. Getting pretty hard to find a "real" job around LaSalle Peru anymore.
3:15, only 34% of the electorate voted for him. Far from a mandate. I believe a valuable lesson was learned and the playing field won't be as large next time. However, the Boss may just front a couple of ghost candidates just to dilute the anti Harl vote. After all, he is taking lessons from the Springfield power brokers.
3:34 Anon. Mr. Paycheck,
Please create something for someone. And you will be rewarded with that paycheck. Too many are looking for the free ride and thinking that you are owed a living. Start a business, learn a skill and don't rely upon others or politicians to invent a paycheck for you.
3:11 Whats the difference between you and those who sign your check. The difference is that they own the business and created a job for you to contribute. If you think someone owes you, you will be outsourced very soon. Attitude in everything, give your employer a good days wage and be a part of the organization.
Anon 4:09, and you don't think An alderman is using the same ploy by having his only supporter on the council previous to the last election run against him, this is called political tactics. This probably won't make the blog!
Everyone should pay for their own insurance and quit looking for freebies from business. Wake up and do your part moocher!
Illinois politicians have a history of hiring unqualified people to fill positions. These unqualified people in turn spend money as directed by their Bosses.
Here is a recent report from the Illinois News Network: "The long-time directors of both Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair were disciplined recently for unethical conduct, have operated their event at a financial loss and come from political backgrounds with no professional experience managing fairs before taking their jobs with the Illinois Department of Agriculture."
Boss Harl is simply following the example of his mentors - Boss Madigan and Boss Cullerton. He has turned the management of Peru's Public Works and Electric Departments (as well as Police and Fire) into patronage jobs - high salaries, no experience necessary. Gota spread around the pork fat if your going to get any ware in Illinois. My prediction - these two gentlemen are going to start rising in LaSalle County politics. Won't surprise me if we get a couple new Democrats on the County Board. As long as they spread the fat to connected crony businesses, they are set for life.
Does anyone know how to obtain line a form to run for alderman? I know several who are interested.
you can download a petition on line or pick one up at the Clerk's office. Google Illinois State Board of Elections - it has all the information you need.
Lasalle County Politics- I highly doubt it for both, possibly one. Amazing how people with no brains can't see through a glass window. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Ask questions of people who know the answers about people.
10:39 should read "on line"
10:49; Frank Mautino has managed to be keep his seat for eons and he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Why don't you think the local voters would cast their vote "one of them" for a seat on the County Board?
Is the party that desperate that they would place those on the ticket? And what does that say about voters? If you place a Democrat after anybody's name, does that mean they are qualified and you should vote for them. Most offices have no bearing on the political affiliation. Only feeble minds vote for the party line. I do notice that a number of local/town individuals take advantage of the Democrat/union label and make themselves precinct chairman. Its a sham. Townships, County Boards and even small towns like Peru tout that party label. Personally, I would not vote for anyone with the party label and is influenced by the any party. If they can't stand on their own don't vote for them.
Illinois wastes money because voters are lazy.
The people at 6500 South Pulaski Road in Chicago have more to say about policy in Peru than our own council does.
11:18 - it is almost impossible to get on the ballot for the Township or the County if you are not nominated by the Democrat or Republican Party.
In LaSalle-Peru, most voters pay little if any attention to what is happening locally. They either vote for the party or they vote for a name that sounds like somebody they might have gone to school with.
It is also sad to say that many people in LaSalle-Peru vote the Democrat ticket because "FDR got us out of the Depression" or other such nonsense. On average, we are not a well educated electorate here "In the Valley" which explains how Frank Mautino continues to win.
Don't forget yard signs 12:39. If you don't litter the town with yard signs you don't stand a chance with voters around here. I think the requirement is about ten signs per vote.
A few good people from the Township got elected with independent tags.
Since there doesn't appear that there is going to be a Public Utilities meeting this week and there is no council meeting until Oct. 6th has any heard whether or not the new finance officer has started his duties yet? If so, do we have a name yet?
5:07 - Shhhhhhh. Its a Secret.
Secrets, Lies, and Scandals!!
Maybe there is a problem and the new finance person can't trace his or her lineage to a City of Peru resident back five generations. Can't run the risk of any outside influence in the government of Peru dontcha know.
If not lineage, then an outsider as dumb as a box of rocks that can be lead around with a nose piercing.
Anon 10:56, these types of comments are ridiculous and make the blog look idiotic . You don't even know who this person is and his or her credentials, but you think they are as dumb as a box of rocks, grow up and act like an adult with your comments, this isn't grade school. These are the type of comments Lois shouldn't post.
11:33, you might have confirmed what everyone suspects by saying "her." If it is true, then its just another crony appointment.
and besides, it is fun.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
1133, the comment made doesn't necessary mean the blogger is referring to whoever is or was hired. I can read further into the comment. Just saying.
it has more to do with the people doing the hiring not the person being hired.
Wonder if it a person who works at a financial institution and hangs out regularly at a local bar. Wonder if any fringe benefits are in the works? Just saying people do talk, and some people need to wake up.
Why not 11:33, could be true. I like the truth even if the truth sounds like a grade schooler. It seems to me that the city doesn't care what a persons resume looks like when hiring people after reading this blog site. Does the city ever mention a persons true resume? My boss tells me Ive been doing a good job also. We do need people who are qualified to run departments and people who are voted in as alderman to represent the taxpayers, without there being hidden agendas. 11:33, what is your opinion on all the closed sessions since Harls administration? Wow. I've always understood closed sessions happen to discuss employees, which is confidential information, which I understand. Do we have that many problems?
Anon 5:57, I agree with you about the amount of closed sessions, it's ridiculous, even under Bakers 44 yrs. he had very few that I know of.
7:16, actually Baker did not have any.
Anon 7:16 At least none at city hall.
5:57 I personally believe that these closed sessions have gotten way out of hand and are a method of keeping the public uninformed. Unless we have that many problems with our personal why else would we continue meeting after meeting having closed sessions? And, once the issues discussed in these sessions have been resolved why aren't the minutes being posted as required? And, if we are having that much trouble with our personal then we have a much bigger problem.
10:59, you must remember that the Open Meetings Act (in Illinois anyway) was created by Chicago Democrats as a way to legally hold secret meetings. It is made to make people think they have an open government, all the while giving politicians a blue print to keep the public in the dark. The Illinois Open Meetings Act should be changed to the Guide for Hiding Government Activities from the Public.
11:36 It is obvious that Democrat and Chicago are defined by you as Satan. You become ludicrous and xenophobic (sceered o the big city).
The Open Meetings Act was modeled after a nationwide standard , and is quite effective IF you have a PAC and AG who is aggressive in enforcing it, as well as the FOIA. I think Kristy has some comments on the effectiveness or lack thereof in that office.
In Illinois, that is currently not the case. I am not a Democrat, and feel comfortable in stating that Madigan as a name in our Illinois Government SHOULD be removed. But I think many other democrats are fine, and agree with many of the planks of the party.
So you can call me RINO or what other label you have. But I stand with the OMA and if a few more citizens arrested the violators under citizens arrest, we might actually get some action. Problem is our Police Chief would automatically side with the City SINCE he oversees half of it!
When are all of you going to learn to pay your taxes and shut up. If you don't like things the way they are call your alderman. He will have all the answers for you and possibly have a written reply already prepared. Please do not interrupt him as he most likely will lose tract of what he is reading.
I hate to inform you 1:20, but all of us who pay our taxes, probably in turn pays your salary. Are you a city employee? I would expect a "no" from you from my question. And, yes, pretty sure the city doesn't like people or this blog site because we all know how they operate. Not in a good way.
Anon 3:26PM from 1:20PM No I am not a city employee, I was just making a attempt to be satirical and at the same time cite a true experience. Back to the drawing board.
Possibility it is time to call in the A of DS, or John Galt for help.
7:38, this is 3:26, I did understand and interrupted your comment as you stated it. Thank You for answering my question. Sadly most of the time we who blog and ask questions on this forum don't get answers. We are told to contact the person personally being it be an alderman, department head, chief of a department. I think this is a cop out of an answer, because answering the question on here would make people think a little more and more descrepencies/secrets/ might arise. A bully tactic possibly or repercussions on a face to face, phone call, letter or signing ones name on this forum. True?
A of DS here. I apologize for taking a step back from the blog. As you know, the deer are becoming very active, and with all the political signs around here, well its really been hell spotting them.
And I also was miffed when someone down at the city hall put a note by my twinkies that called me a Committee asahole. Turned out it was a typo and they were inviting me to report at one of the committee as a whole meetings during a closed session. I was pretty miffed though, and stayed in my deer bunker for almost a week. And I can never remember the secret handshake and knock to get into the closed sessions anyway.
Deer Spotting, like our Mayors agenda and new donut shops, is no laughing matter. Luckily the mayor agrees and We may end up being funded in a new and creative way, as the engineering firm seems to think our activities could be billed as part of a new airport fence. They have to figure out a way to bill it below the new backyard pools for needy public servants, and the new "computers for a cause" fundraisers to support people adversely affected by tragically lost council videos. Some felt the proceeds would go toward buying them Peru home grown union medical marijuana so they could "chill".
You have to love how we all support a good cause, and I know there is none more important than Deer Spotting.
Except maybe voting. And I know people here will put all their money behind getting our votes. Our town has always had the best candidates and trucks money can buy, and that will never change!
Ambassador of Deer Spotting, 1:20PM - 7:38PM here: Appreciate your watching my back in a already time of your busy season. Apology accepted as I personally realize that your designated mission is of such importance that all should realize one title at a time done well is all a titleholder should accept. As for pay I would appreciate a little "hush hush" time and between me, you and the fence pole .............!
Thanks again, always my pleasure hearing from you
Oh, you are so welcomed back Ambassador of Deer Spotting. A lot has happened in the last 9 months here in Peru, the leader of the illinois valley. I hope your slapping sticks are still in good condition. I truly miss your humorous blogs. How true are they if one is smart enough to read between the lines. Enjoy Burgoo fest in Utica tomorrow, maybe there is venison in that stew.
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