Someone in the City of Peru needs to explain the Vactor Purchase

I have been hearing from the administration that we are moving into privatizing more of the city work, for ex: grass cutting, landscaping etc. because it is cost effective. Now all of a sudden we need a 400,000 dollar truck for a city of 10,000 people. This expected purchase goes against everything we have been told by those in administration. What's the deal, who gains with this? We are told it will pay for itself in 5 years and please tell me how the city knows we will be in economic position too keep this in good working order with knowledgeable employees using it.

Who is currently in charge of the Crystal Ball at City Hall?

#vactor truck
#municipal equipment
#municipal spending
#no budget purchase

For My Friends At This Difficult Time

If you are also at a difficult time in your life, enjoy this lovely music.

Merry Christmas to My Friends and Fellow Bloggers Everywhere

Christmas Lighting Where is the Best

Many of you have probably seen the lighting on the old Westclox building on east Rte 6, if you have not please put this on your to see list as it is fantastic. One of the occupants of the building I am told has done or helped to do this display. Thanks to all throughout the city that have decorated their lawns, homes and businesses, nicely done.

I have also driven through Rotary Park in LaSalle in which the city is creating a drive through with lighted Christmas displays which is growing in size each year. Very nice and all ages will enjoy this ride thru.

Feel free to add any special Christmas lighting you would like to  suggest for viewing in public places, parks, businesses or homes.

Peru boards recommend approval of sand plant - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Peru boards recommend approval of sand plant - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Annexation Of Bureau County Land Approved by Peru Planning and Zoning Boards

Northern White Sand finally OK'd near U.S. 6 - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Northern White Sand finally OK'd near U.S. 6 - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Old news to many but it is beginning to look like La Salle Cty will be owing their soul to the company store. There are going to be so many facilities owned by one sand company that involve so many cities, that it will be one big happy family or not.

This article is from September 10 of this year. I expect Peru will join the family. To every plus there is a minus and time will tell what the difference will be.

Letters to the editor: There has to be a better place for sand facility than Plank Road - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Letters to the editor: There has to be a better place for sand facility than Plank Road - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Everyone who drove by the signs on Plank Road and Ladd Road thought that “Schools Subdivision” meant residential subdivision. Eugene Hodges, of Northern White Sand LLC a subsidiary of Eagle Materials of Dallas, Texas, and their attorney, John Duncan, admitted that they purposely worded it that misleading way.' QUOTE from Patricia Lange Grant, property owner and resident.  

This should throw up red flags about this company wanting into Peru! When you start with deceit, where do you go from there?

#Northern White Star
#schools subdivision
#sand transfer facility
#Eagle Materials
#Eugene Hodges
#sandfacility
#Peru IL

38th Street Redirection Map

Post by Jeff Dankert.

WHEELER: Sand mining: The wolf is at the door

WHEELER: Sand mining: The wolf is at the door

An open forum letter written in the Ottawa Times with one comment following.

A Few Changes From the City Council Meeting Tonight

The city council delayed the vote on the grass cutting contract because they were one alderman short of the "Super Majority" and it will be taken up at the next council meeting after Christmas. How can savings be calculated when you don't have the figures from past years? He did put a lot of work into it so please find this information in the Alderman's packet on the city web site and let us know what you think.

 ****Peru city atty according to N.T isn't sure whether there will be a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting on Wednesday as origiinally scheduled because not enough members possibly might not show up and in that case the meeting will be held on Thursday.  This is kind of like saying there is a city council meeting Monday and if not enough members show up we will meet on Tuesday. Since an agenda has to be posted 48 hours in advance with an exact time and date of meeting, it does sound like we have a legal issue involved here.

Please this is a governmental commitee, they need not play games, either set a meeting date and time and live with it or cancel it until next week. Do they not want a room full of people in attendance like last week?


BELOW IS MY ORIGINAL POSTING

Also the meeting by the Planning and Zoning Committee was delayed until this Thursday December 18 @ 6 PM, they were said to be short members available for Wednesday night, December 17 the date scheduled at last weeks mtg. This will again be about the Northern White Sands probable approval of annexation etc.  If you know someone who should be aware of this change, please contact them and let them know of the change.

ELECTION PETITIONS for ALDERMAN
As of this morning these are the petitions turned into the clerks office.  Fourth -Dave Potthoff, Third Ward - Dave Waldorf, Travis Nelson.  Second Ward - Rodney Perez, Tom Payton.

Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states

Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states


I believe many of us have no doubt about this.

Sealed Bids for City of Peru Equipment

What Will Be the Benefit to Peru of the Sand and Railway Approval?

This is the question I asked of several aldermen after the meeting last evening and the answer I received is "tipping fees". It is a term new to me and I am sure to many of you who are reading this. An ordinance will be passed soon setting the price to be applied to the heavy trucks used for hauling sand, so much per ton per weight of the sand truck.  I am sure each truck will not be weighed so it will be a general assumed weight per truck.  This fee is to maintain the roads to be used by more trucks traveling more frequently on the route from the Utica Northern White Sands facility in rural Utica to the proposed sand processing facility in Peru and the annexed land in Bureau Cty. We should assume if the benefit to Peru is a tipping charge that the fee will be large enough to provide some profit to the city or there is no point to setting a fee.

An article in late October in the N.T. follows this post which puts a lot of what is being voted on now into perspective.

Next in line for benefits would be jobs for those in skilled in those areas, particularly the truck drivers which the article indicates are hard to find.

This meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board was the first time there had been any public discussion by anyone involved with the city. Never discussed at any previous council meeting or any committee of a whole public session. I am wondering if the discussions took place in closed session. Did the atty mention last night that he had had previous discussions with officials? Who is in charge of public relations in this administration?

The mayor was seen at the meeting for a short time and most of the aldermen were in attendance. I guess this leads to the question, "Does the public have the right to expected to be informed of issues that may affect Peru?"  Many people here in Peru believe the answer is NO.

In silica valley, the sand is moving - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

In silica valley, the sand is moving - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Next up: Illinois municipal bankruptcy?

Next up: Illinois municipal bankruptcy?

Sand company attorney responds to IEPA violations

Sand company attorney responds to IEPA violations

Northern White Sand receives notice of IEPA violations

Northern White Sand receives notice of IEPA violations

Family Acitivities, Christmas Decorating and Shopping in Full Swing Now in Peru

This is such a busy time of year for families and businesses and even cities that are decorating for the Holidays. Before the schools close for the holidays, there are concerts, plays and parties for the students and of course this involves the entire family. Yards are full of bright lights and decorations and people are making plans to spend the holidays with families and friends.  They are finding themselves coming and going trying to get all done that needs to be done so they can spend time with those they care about.

By now you are wondering what this has to do with the city of Peru. They lit the tree with ceremonies at City Hall and I was told that the announcement was made that the Mayor was not present because he has "business" in Chicago to attend to. Many aldermen were there and the school chorus made it very enjoyable.

Considering what I have just said, why has the city decided that this is the perfect time to get the "sand" meetings on the calendar and have all discussions done with prior to Christmas. Why?

According to the city web site, there will be a meeting this Wed., Dec. 10 before the Planning and Zoning Board

I Have Questions About the Proposed New Sand Facility, Do You?

Since the city is very silent about the proposed sand facilities (2), I began to think about what I would like to ask our officials.  I am assuming that they have already had several meetings with both White Sand and EOG.

What is your question?

I have seen the map but nothing more, but hope our officials have at least seen photos of the proposed facility as I am assuming that White Sands also has other facilities.

The first thing on my list is about truck traffic. 12 or 15 trucks per hour, does this mean on a 24 hour time frame? But now remember that EOG also has a lot of truck travel bringiing in sand for the RR transfer.  Will both be using the same roads and what will the traffic pattern be and how will if affect the local auto and truck traffic? Will Peru be responsible for road unkeep? Will they build their own roads, specific to their sand transfer?  Will this discourage shoppers from coming into Peru? Maybe silly questions but things I think of in the current conversation.

Peru sand facility gets first OK (of three) from city - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

Peru sand facility gets first OK (of three) from city - LaSalle News Tribune - LaSalle, IL

SAND AND MORE SAND IN PERU COMING TO YOUR CITY

How Many Peruvians Will Fit in the Lobby of City Hall? (LOL)

"City Hall has a new 15-foot tall Christmas tree that will be lit during an open house that starts at noon. The tree will feature decorations made by grade school students. The Peru Parkside Choir will perform."

I have been to the Peru City Hall many times and have a pretty good idea of the size of the lobby and once we set up the 15 foot tree and bring in the Peru Parkside Choir and the aldermen and their families, how much room will be left for the remaining residents?

Christmas Tree - Safety Meeting - Lawn Care - Bah Humbug

I cannot tell you first hand the events of the city council meeting this evening but it definitely reinforces the thought that mybe you the taxpayers are not really being considered as first and foremost in the officials concerns. I have received very reliable information about events and some foia's will definitely be taking place very soon..

Recall the Xmas Tree/Safety Mtg expenditure of $1699. it  turns out that the cost was for a very expensive Christmas Tree for $1500 to be placed in the center of city hall. It must have been a secret order as most of the aldermen did not know nor did the City Treasurer know about the purchase.
How many citizens do you think walk through city hall on a weekly basis other than the regular employees that actually work there? I get complaints about the outdoor city decorations that must be at least 20 or 30 years old and half the time no longer light up. Some pretty lites on the greenery  around City Hall might be seen by the most people as they drive by on Rte 6, and could have been one of the downtown improvements being worked toward by the Rte 6 Tourist Association. Who owns the outdoor decorations put up by the cso and should some new ones be on our bucket list?

That leaves us with a $199.00 Safety Committee but it is a secret committee because no one knows the members, there is no agenda and there are no minutes and we the taxpayers are picking up the tab for the luncheon etc.  From what I hear from others who have inside information, neither you or I will be happy about the receipt. Maybe they bought Happy Meals.

With that in mind, I just read in the news that Peru proposes a slight tax increase,
"The city Peru proposes a 4.98 % increase in its tax levy and then  a slightly higher tax rate for following year" according to the N.T.

I propose they learn how to spend the taxpayer dollars a little more wisely.








































#christmastree
#christmas
#citychristmastree

Northern White Sands Requesting Waivers

#NorthernWhiteSands
#IllinoisRailway
#LaSalleCounty
#railroad