I am sure half of the city is buzzing about the recent firing of an employee at city hall and the way that it happened. And just as much as that the positions that developed out of thin way while we were supposedly searching for a Superintendent of Public Works and it looks like they are going to remain. Qualified people are out there and are looking for jobs and why can't we find them?
Another something to think about. On August 16 the city assisted Ms Noonan to have a hard rock concert at the airport and we utilized public works, police and fire in this effort. I guess the effort was so we could help support a charity of her choosing which this year was Streator Centennial Elementary Public School. Now if you remember last year the Peru Little League supplied numerous volunteers so they could be the recipient of some "charity" and the concert fell short and they got proceeds from one night of pizza sales.
Now you would think it would not happen again, right? But it did and the last concert for the Streator school, produced no money for the school even though once again the same support from the school and the city was present. I privately received info that the school got no money and I was able verify that this indeed has occurred, in spite of a huge volunteer effort.
It is time for this to stop and for the city never to again assist this private enterprise from using the airport for any type of concert. Enough is enough.
46 comments:
Lois, Until the people complain to the AG about this, and consumer fraud groups get involved, it will keep going on.
Kristy showed everyone how to do it. But until enough people point out this is NOT right, it will go on and on.
Miller Group WILL NEVER be unbiased or investigative regarding these concerts. Bitching on a blog is just not enough.
9:01 PM
You are right and even though some of us are working on it, we need more people to care and that is what it boils down to....caring about your city and helping to correct things that are wrong. Those with the power to do it usually won't.
I bet the volunteers from the Streator school are livid! They worked their butts off and got nothing??? I bet Noonan made her fair share. I don't know how she can continue to do these concerts and not give any money to the organizations who help her. She should be embarrassed. Disgraceful!!
$7 a beer, $12 fishbowl drink. Pizza slices sold. Something was fishy in the fishbowl drinks that were sold.
I guess I'm with the half of the city that not currently "buzzing" about an employee firing at city hall. Please provide some info for those of us that do not have any "sources". Who? When? What? Why? and most importantly, Who did the firing?
what was the city employee let go for? Who let this person go?
Lois, I'm glad you pointed out the fact the city was supposed to be looking for a Utilities Director, you have to think it was just a diversion with the real intent was to have the buddy system in place with King Bernabie. I will say talking with employees in every dept. the morale is at its lowest, that is the employees saying this. Bernabie's ego is out of control and you can expect a substantial raise coming, because that is what he is about.
Does Peru, who endorses these concerts, realize that this makes them look foolish? Will there be enough money made to reimburse the city for the services they provided? If this is indeed true (that Streator received no money) then that makes 2 organizations who provided much free labor to these concerts with the hopes of getting much needed monetary help and got nothing for their efforts. With all the controversy with regards to these concerts maybe it's time to say "No More".
Ouch! You got me. Again. The first time its your fault the second time its mine. The Streator school group should have used better judgement as I know others have and refrained from applying to "Concerts for a Cause" for financial assistance.
Groups such as this have the blog and other previous groups to refer to and their historical business agreements with this promoter.
To be truthfully frank they have themselves to blame, not the City of Peru nor its airport and not the promoter as this has become a part of the results of her concerts.
When looking at a business agreement that appears to be too good to be true it is best to remember it normally is. Those that forget this are added to "There is a sucker born every minute waiting out there to be taken". It is hard to believe that the same person utilizing the same business practices continues to find groups which have only themselves to blame for her huge financial success and their free donated time.
All of the above is fact as long as these groups are conducting business only with the promoter. I sincerely pray that no city representatives are personally involved in representing the concerts to those working the concerts for a true reward to their cause. If city representation is involved than they are tarnishing Peru's reputation and image and have done irreputable harm to all, local businesses and private citizens of Peru. For as little as Peru has recieved financially from the concerts has it been good business to ever have become involved? I hope its involvement has been limited to use of the airport and parking and wish it had never partook any activities with the concerts.
They cannot find the right people, because they DO NOT want to find the right qualified people!! The recent firing sounds like "abuse of power" again. These men (Harl & King) are running the city. King had Eccels removed (may he rest in peace)and became the fire volunter fire chief! Harl had Taylor removed, and "appointed" King to building inspector/full time fire chief! And know co-supers! Who does does that and who is in charge? Nobody knows!
I have heard the local contractors love King because he has never gotten out of his command vehicle to perform any type of inspection(s). I have seen projects in Peru recently with know "City Permit" posted, he is not supposed to be looking out for the best interest of the city? King will do what ever he wants to achieve his personal interests!!
8:45 a.m. That makes 3 concerts where no money was given to the volunteer organization. Don't forget Easter Seals and the Alan Jackson concert. They received nothing from the concert proceeds. They only received $20,000 because Alan Jackson heard Easter Seals got nothing and he personally donated $20,000 of his own money.
Peru Little League received $2,500 from Lou's
Per a FOIA request-It is true. Streator Centennial School received $0.00 and provided 50 volunteers.
Kristy
True 9:46 but that was not from the concert. And they too provided at least 50 free workers for many, many hours.
Whom was fired and for what reason?
Kristy what does the legal agreement between Ms. Noonan and workers of the concert state pertaining to a compensation of a financial sum for working?
Can a busisness legally employ someone and NOT pay them at least state minimum wages, but yet make a profit themselves? At the minimum the promoter should have to make her business accounting books available to prove that her expenses are greater than revenue recieved.
Rather than minimum wage I would recommend that the prevailing average wage of the area worked in be the minimum pay. For instance 1 person at 12 hours work X's $12/hr. (average hourly wage for the locality and a premium of 4 hours at 1 1/2 equals $168.00/person X's 50 people=$8400.00.
If this sum of $168.00/person for a 12hr shift seems too high I would like to ask the Mayor, his 2 dept. hds. and several of the city council members what is their hourly rate when they are on their daily job? Now it seems very low doesn't it?
I find it interesting Ms. Noonan formed an LLC (limited liability corporation) Lou's Lagrotto Presents seperate from Lou's Lagrotto, Inc where she is registered as the Corporate Secretary. Recall her advertising this year indicated:
Lou's Lagrotto Present
Is this deceptive practice or lack of public inquiry?
Kristy
Will the news tribune report that the Streator school got nothing?
It appears the video equipment is another thing that needs fixing in the city. The last council meeting video (8/25) is STILL not on the city website. Maybe the employee who got fired is the one responsible for putting the video on the website???
Incorporating under another umbrella is the smart thing to do. That protects the assets of the Pizza business as well as her own. That being said, the City really needs to get out of this business. A good lawyer could make an argument that the city is not responsible for the supposed charity donation as well as anything that might have happened or could happen at future events.
My prediction - this will soon become a full fledged City of Peru event with the Pizza Lady taking a salaried position to run them.
I do not particularly find of importantance the name of the individual who was left go of last Friday. What I do find critically important is the reason they were left go of and did the person who is responsible for the action the proper person to perform the firing. Were all procedures followed, verbal and written, and all training and education offered to the employee to perform the occupation? Did the person responsible for the firing consult with the employee and accept advice given by the employee or did they approach the situation as I am the boss and you are to speak when told to. This may be a case in which the supervisor is being insubordinate to the employee and getting even rather than accepting the superior knowledge and experience in their particular field. To take many steps back and analyze this firing from its concept may be a wise decision and worth taking. There is a strong possibility that the incorrect person may have been fired by someone occupying a postion that they cannot professionally perform!
In Peru who determines if the dog is to wag the tail or the tail is to wag the dog? Presently certain appointments are making this a hard decision to determine.
11:33 According to the Illinois labor law, it is seems clear that these volunteers are being used illegally under the guise of a Charitable fundraiser. Their efforts have been in support of the for profit activity, apparently without minimum wage compensation, safety training, evacuation drills, or Tax witholding. You may write directly to the City of Peru Attorney and request an official opinion on the matter , and his recommendations to minimize the City liability . You might also inquire if he represents La Grottos in any capacity as well.
You may report the violations to:
http://www.illinois.gov/idol/Pages/Complaints.aspx
You mention at the beginning of your post that half of Peru must be a buzz. Well the other half doesn't know. Who was fired and who did the firing? Under odd circumstances?
9:52 PM
As stated earlier names are not important and would be a violation of privacy for them. It was a clerical/secretarial employee who was dismissed by the ASM on Friday. The reasons were subjective and subject to dispute. When I have approval to, I will give more details.
Isn't the city in violation of total compensation report, the report is from 2012 isn't that to be updated yearly. Someone should sue them...
Being that the clerical/secretary has been taking additional education at IVCC and extending job responsibilities to be a willing, knowlegable, and technically informative employee of Peru it appears that this individual action should be reviewed further in fairness to the employee, the supervisior, to the city and future employees. For some reason Peru is not getting the responses and inquires about so called OPEN jobs. I sincerely hope that the reason is not the attitude of certain individuals who are presently happier with present management charts and therefore upsetting all others (present and potential employees) in this happiness.
Peru, a city which pays its employees a very good income with outstanding benefits should be a location where people want to come to work. What condition or conditions are preventing this must be looked into immediately. Maybe it must be learned that a good boss is one who has the ability to enable a employee to WANT to do the assignment rather than being FORCED to do the job.
It is my understanding that this secretarial/administrative assistant position was created by the ASM when the former electric department superintendent and his secretarial assistant retired. I believe that was not more than maybe 4 months ago. Would this be adequate time to learn responsibilities that would have been added to previous job duties?
If we changed the form of government to Council - Manager in accordance with the Municipal Code, professional management would be in charge of the day to day operations. Random hiring and firing based on political concerns would not happen.
The Mayor and Council would be statutorily prevented from anything dealing with the day to day operation of the city and the management of any employee excepts for the City Manager which would have a the Illinois Municipal Code on his side as well as a contract.
All of the petty B.S. and political maneuvering can be solved by changing our form of government. We would not have Floyd the Barber determining which pipes to fix and Boss Hogg deciding what to use the airport for.
8:56 & 9:43, obviously you do know know who got fired. This person was hired because they had a relative at city hall. This person was not adequately educated to be in the position they were in.
You are getting one sided information about the firing. This has been needed to be done for some time now. Just saying.
EVERYBODY SHOULD READ 9:07's COMMENT. Could the blogger be spot on? Hummmmm. First off if you were a contractor wouldn't it be great to have to consult with a person who was appointed a city position/employee whereas they don't have the qualifications to dig a ditch or sewer themselves and they're in change of overseeing your job? Really people wake up. A contractor would love this deal. Just an example. Who is in charge of overseeing the electric department? Is it the employees that have worked for the city in that department for years? Do they have certifications? Do their co-supers? Something isn't right here. Correct us if this is wrong.
you are spot on 6:39!! i agree with both 9:07 and 6:39!! Something is very wrong here in "the leader of the valley"!!!!
Leader of the valley my foot. We have become nothing more than a tax siphon and job machine for the well connected. Might as well invite the mafia in to run things. Oh wait, Local 150 has "their guy" - so the mafia is running Peru.
1:35 & 1:40 you are either one of Boss Harl's yes men or have no clue because this person was absolutely qualified actually over qualified for the position. The issue was that there were two supervisors who had NO CLUE as to any of the codes or ordinances and hated that the administrative assistant knew everything which is likely for being there for 6 yrs. It was a control thing and the ASM didn't like that he didn't know anything. Well go back to you Police Department where you are qualified to work.
1:40 you sound like you think this person knew a lot about the corrupt City. HMMMMMMMM maybe this administrative assistant should go to the FBI then and pass along any of the wrong doings that have been happening in the City.... is that what you are afraid of. You sound like you are one sided. Im sure if you knew the whole story you might not think so. Just saying!!!!!
9:11 this person didn't even know proper grammar and spelling. I've seen things that this person produced and it was embarrassing to think it was coming from the office it was coming from in city hall. I'm guessing you are a relative of this person.
@1:35 PM You are correct this person got hired because she had a relative at city hall. Big deal! The majority of hirings have been someone who has a relative, friend or next door neighbor at city hall.These hirings also have not been qualified or educated for the position they are in.
Never the less the young lady has improved her job skills during her time as a admistrative assistant and has given of her time to increase her job skills thru spending her time at IVCC for further occupational education.
Has the supervisor who is responsible for her firing properly consulted with the fired employee, has the supervisor offered her training which he feels would qualify her or has he/she simply expressed dissatisfaction which produced a end result of dismissal. Wasn't the employee previously a administrative assistant to the Building Inspector and the Assistant Building Inspector? What was their evaluations of her? She was also a administrative assistant to Mayor Harl, a position which she received 2 pay raises in one year when all others except one person only obtained one pay raise. What does written documentation show for the Mayors evaluation of the employee? What value do other Committee Chairman evaluate her job performance as. Why has this employee survived as long as she has for all others even Mayor Harl and has been terminated by the ASM whom she has worked with for the shortest time span of all others mentioned?
Mayor Harl you have been elected as Chief Executive Officer of the City of Peru which makes you responsibele for all decisions. Is this a decision you wanted and a decison you believe is fair to all involved. Is it a decision which you believe will benefit Peru or will in the long run hurt the city big time? The numbers waiting for your response are increasing rapidly and justifiably so. Some believe that this will instigate a reopening of the FBI investigation with increased release of information others believe in time a niece of a former city clerk will run for the city clerk position. Time will tell but maybe she will make a very good city clerk.
From what I hear, the control master Bernabie was behind this. If he doesn't get his way watch out. Hopefully they will come to their senses and get serious about a Utilities Director. I guess this is what the Mayor wants and this is what the Mayor will get as far as King-Bernabie.
She would also make a very good alderwoman!
I bet the ASM is going to regret the day he made this decision. Spring Valley people USUALLY stick together like glue, which is not a bad thing.
Maybe this person was let go so the people that fired that person will get a raise. Just a thought and wouldn't surprise me. I always liked the show, "The Three Stooges." My opinion!
The reason Mayor Harl thought she did such a great job is because he can't form a proper sentence, he doesn't know how to spell, and he doesn't know proper grammar. Unfortunately this employee thought she was in charge at city hall, and I think that was the biggest problem.
Anon 11:58 AM The people who fired the city administrative assistant do not need to fire someone to get a raise. I believe it is much more likely that someone has been already chosen by the ASM to replace her before the dismissal took place. I also do not believe that the ASM should have any influence upon who is to take her place nor should anyone else who was included in the "war room". First I would offer the young lady her job back with additional accomadations she has not had such as educational opportunities and training and the Mayor and city council shold be the only judges of who to hire. Also all jobs from now on should be advertised. Also, those individuals who were in the "war room" should be submitted to a job evaluation. Of the five who were in the "war room" four were executioners with one victim. Was the victim offered a opportunity to acquire a witness of her own. She should have been. A union employee would have been given representation or there would not have been a meeting. A non union employee is to be offered the opportunity to acquire representation of their choice if only for a witness that all that is said after the execution takes place is true.
This firing was conducted as a bullying tastic led by one, supported by another with a display of lack of a backbone by a third and the fourth simply filling her job and CHOA.
Someone got fired. I really don't feel it is appropriate to talk about it here on the blog. sorry but people are just speculating and tying all kinds of things together. STOP spreading rumors PLEASE. There are more important things to talk about.
No one is talking about that someone got fired. They are talking about how they got fired, by whom and wanting to know why. The same questions where asked when the engineer quit, the Building Inspector and the Assistant Building Inspector got fired, rhe city employee got fired and the horticulturist resigned and the Budget Director resigned.
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