“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

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Discussions Must Be Taking Place Someplace but Not in Public

I recently watched the video of the last city council meeting and found it very disturbing that the Financial Officer gave us a list of figures that he said was money we had paid to the current contractor for vactor services and then the contractor gave another figure.  The figures were nowhere close in $ amounts. The aldermen, not one, questioned the discrepancy in amounts. The contractor said the asst. public service person had validated his figures and the financial official said Treasurer Hylla has validated his and no one asked questions.

Since no one volunteered any information from the council, I can only assume that someone somewhere had previously discussed this and if so are minutes available or was this done in "closed session".   I am old school and believe if decisions are taking place involving taxpayer dollars then as one of those taxpayers, I should be able to know who is involved and when and where it took place.

Where is the transparency we were promised in 2009?

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

I too questioned this discrepancy when I listened to the video of that meeting. It's really no different than the grass cutting contract. Figures were thrown out that we saved money yet no one asked how? I haven't figured out how we did if we eliminated no one from our payroll. I also caught when alderman Ferrari said he was in favor of the purchase of the vac truck if we used it on a daily basis. J. King said it would be on a priority basis. That does not constitute usage on a daily basis alderman Ferrari. Yet you voted yes. Alderman Waldorf stated no one would be hired yet if you read the minutes of his Dec. committee meeting it is stated that it is a possibility that we may need to hire new personnel. Questions, questions, questions that continue to go unanswered or ever asked.

Anonymous said...

Who is the assistant public service person?

Anonymous said...

This is to be expected. Governments in Illinois are inherently corrupt. They have been since 1818.
It is difficult or impossible to change since new individuals usually have very little power and there aren't enough of them at any given time to be effective. All you get is one "rogue" Alderman tilting and windmills and not really getting anything done.
For any change to make a difference - everything needs to change. This can only be done with a complete change in the format of the government. Meaning that if we really want anything to be different we need to abolish this current government and start over- this can be done with a change to the council manager format or even commission format.
But, even if that got through - another thing must change. Every single member of the existing government must be replaced. Every single employee of the existing government must be let go and forced to reapply for their position once the new government is in place. Every single manager must be replaced.
No ifs ands or buts about it - it is a collective group think that is the problem - to stop this cancer, a lot of good flesh will need to be cut away.
The only other alternative is to watch. But we don't have a media to do that and a blogs reach is not that far. So, I'm afraid that we will need to put up with corruption like this. It's been this way always and it will always be this way - in Illinois.

Anonymous said...

Once again the author of the blog has made those interested if good jugement and finacial wisdom was used in the purchase of the Vactor or if Peru was already recieving more bang for its buck by outsourcing the service than making a $400K+ purchase and now pay for maintenace and manpower.
Most local newspapers and radio stations would accept decisions such as this for investigation but being only the bearer of good and master of non controvery the blog has had to accept being the revealer and road lock to random spending.
Sadly this personifies to a very few individuals that those involved are hateful, spiteful and should get a life. Happily, the majority appreciate being informed of situations which should be bantered publically before being made. To the Carrolls, and many others who serve the blog in a professional manner, THANK YOU!
To those few individuals who have a personal dislike for those associated with the blog and the blog itself - do not familarize yourself with it and continue to get only the flavor of the day from our local newspaper and radio station.

Anonymous said...

Lois. The video you said you just watched is a form of transparency. Approval to record those meetings came to fruition since 2009 with a big Thank you to Mayor Scott Harl and Co.

Anonymous said...

The discrepancy in the Waldorf numbers for Vactor services and the Michelini numbers for Vactor services reveals another scam has been successfully perpetrated by Peru city officials. It's obvious that Waldorf, Lukosus and others decided to "cook the books" in order to falsely justify that purchasing a Vactor Truck would pay for itself in five years or so. But if Michelini's numbers are accurate it would take a much longer timeframe to make the purchase of a Vactor Truck financially responsible. If the Michelini numbers are accurate then it would make sense to continue to outsource Vactor services as opposed to purchase price, labor, maintenance, devaluation, etc. The Michelini numbers would push back the timeframe for paying off a Vactor by at least ten or fifteen years, making it financially unwise to make such a capital purchase. Could it be that Waldorf and others city officials decided to cook the books for their own political gain during an election season? Are Peru's elected officials so intent on remaining in power that they would resort to such a scam against the citizens of Peru? Why did the aldermen on the Finance Committee not have more to say about this expenditure? I would be interested to hear what others think of the huge difference in the numbers put forth at the meeting in question. Even more important is the question of why did no elected or appointed official ask for some clarity on these numbers before voting to spend $450,000 of the taxpayers money. Finally, shouldn't Waldorf have to report that $450,000 to the Illinois State Board of Elections as a campaign contribution from the citizens of Peru? After all, that's what it was intended for.

Anonymous said...

J. King's comment makes no sense and is vague "priority basic." Explanation please? A short two sentence statement basically doesn't validate the validity of the reason for this purchase. Has anybody noticed that not a lot of questions are publicly directed to J. King that should be asked of he, and requiring an informative and accurate answer to important questions that should be answered. What would the explanation for this not happening? One example: How much money is Liberty Fire Company, the fundraising organizing going to give to the city to help defy the cost of purchases of fire trucks,-vehicles? Why? Why not? Has anybody else observed this over the last couple years? And now more questions should be asked regarding other department purchases.

Anonymous said...

@1:00. Ducks in a row. They have already started by saying payroll is down. Because Harl consolidated people with several positions to make his mayorship look better. No dummy there. Has this help us or hindered us? What professionalism have we received? Qualified-Certified-----persons? These are my thoughts and opinions. Appreciate this informative blogsite. The radio station needs to mention this on their morning news that we have this forum and it's informative and a blogsite. The elderly would probably appreciate it and enjoy participating. They may not easily be able to attend council meetings. Maybe the city could put this website, www.perutownforum.blogsite.com on their website, now THAT WOULD TRANSPARENCY. If anybody knows Rod Thorsen personally please call him and ask him to mention it, he seems to like transparency.

Anonymous said...

Foia the figures of how much change did those bills amount to.

Then ask the residents of those that were flooded if a vactor truck was a good investment.

Why would there be a scam about a sewer sucking truck?

Its financially unwise to have police cars. They only run 100,ooo miles and have no trade in value. Do you need them? Yes!

The contractor says he only billed the city ????? The city claims they paid this amount????
Why would the city cook the books to buy a vactor? Better check the clerk's office for the bills? You can get a easy to read detail of what each vendor was paid, each year. Then let us know what the
verdict is.

Peru Town Forum said...

3:02 PM

I am sure this is being done many times over.

Anonymous said...

Two things;
1. Why was it not included in the budget?

2. Where is the use plan - meaning - when do we take delivery and where is the list of sewer lines with anticipated dates that they will they be serviced? If they are being honest about this, they should have a plan in place that they can publish. I recognize that some dates may shift - but they should have something on paper now so they can plan the use of this machine and the people that operate it.

Something tells me this will be a shoot from the hip exercise - just like everything else. I anticipate hearing a question sometime in June or July about why the vac truck is not being used and the reply will be "we are short handed right now."

Anonymous said...

12:59 PM,

Harl isn't the one that gave approval for the recording of city meetings. State law allows it. Bottom of Page 5.

http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/pdf/faq_oma_government.pdf

Anonymous said...

Stop asking people to FOIA and post for you. If you want numbers or documents then do it yourself.

I can tell you that the Vactor truck is a no brainer. Do you think the owner of the business might have a slight interest in keeping that business?

The Peru City Council made a very good decision. Criticize Dave W or the council all you want, but sometimes businesses also make decisions to purchase something that was not foreseen. So what do they do? They adjust. They adapt.

The research was done. I am not directly involved, but I am one of many who are very glad they made this decision.

Anonymous said...

1:00 p.m. said...

"The discrepancy in the Waldorf numbers for Vactor services and the Michelini numbers for Vactor services reveals another scam has been successfully perpetrated by Peru city officials. It's obvious that Waldorf, Lukosus and others decided to "cook the books" in order to falsely justify that purchasing a Vactor Truck would pay for itself in five years or so."

They cooked the books. Really. Just because they wanted to waste money and buy a truck. I am sick and tired of the constant criticism when good decisions are made. Not everything is a conspiracy.

Actually, none of it is a conspiracy. I don't agree with all decisions but when a good one is made, I'm going to speak up. The vactor truck is a good decision. KUDOS to Mr. Waldorf and the council for doing so.

Our city council has some very good people involved. When are some of you going to wake up and see that we need a leader in the MAYOR seat! That is where we need leadership.

I live in the third ward and my aldermen are very approachable and I knew neither of them before I came to Peru. It doesn't mean I agree with all decisions but many of the goofy comments on this blog do nothing to move our city forward.

Anonymous said...

@7:28, don't know how long you have lived in Peru, but the coffee keeps brewing, so I suggest you wake up.

Anonymous said...

Read the very first comment. Oh what decisiveness. We need a city manager pronto get rid of dead weight.

Anonymous said...

12:59 pm. The reason the videos of the council meetings came to be is because Alderman Rodney Perez pushed and pushed for it. Not because Harl wanted it.

Anonymous said...

Get an outside auditing firm no relation to anyone to check the numbers - chances are there are a lot of surprises in there such a sad state of affairs this city has become

Anonymous said...

I am confused. Michelini used to be the enemy, because he was in Harl's back pocket, and minling money out of the city. Now he is a good business man because he was saving the city money?
You guys cant make up your mind.
Lets see how much money IV Excavation gives to Harl's campaign this year.
The council just shot a hole in the mayor's campaign fund bucket with the purchase of the vac truck.

Anonymous said...

9:13. Why does 7:28 have to wake up? They expressed an opinion from their perspective and experience.

At least you didn't use the usual cliches "drink the Kool-Aid" or "lining their pockets" and came up with something original, like "the coffee keeps brewing."

Wow I also said something contrarian to the typical blog comments. We will see if it gets posted!

Anonymous said...

C'mon 7:22 PM & 7:28 PM. You are missing the point of the criticism. The point is not whether performing Vactor services either outsourced by Michelni or with a city owned Vactor is a good thing or not. We can agree it's a good thing. The point is what is the best and most economical and responsible way to achieve the end result of having the work done throughout the city. You seem to have no problem just taking the word of your aldermen that the "due diligence" was done and the numbers they presented reveal we should buy a truck. Good for you and your peace of mind. However, many people are not as trusting in their very "approachable" aldermen based on what we have observed from them and other Peru elected officials over the years. I'm all for keeping our sewers cleaned out in order to make basment flooding less likely. But I also want my elected officials to ensure this activity is accomplished in an efficient and economical fashion demonstrating the "best use" of my tax dollars. The last thing I want is my elected officials using bogus numbers to justify a $450,000purchase for purely political reasons in an election season. You apparently have faith and confidence in some of Peru's elected officials. I'm glad for you. I do not and the reason I do not is because I have observed them. I have observed their decision making and I have observed the results of the decisions they have made. I'm sorry, but almost every one of them are just not up to the job they are supposed to be doing representing the people of Peru. I'm sorry. These people are simply clueless when it comes learning, researching, and putting in the work they are supposed to be doing to make informed decisions. Sorry!

Anonymous said...

C'mon 7:22 PM & 7:28 PM. You are missing the point of the criticism. The point is not whether performing Vactor services either outsourced by Michelni or with a city owned Vactor is a good thing or not. We can agree it's a good thing. The point is what is the best and most economical and responsible way to achieve the end result of having the work done throughout the city. You seem to have no problem just taking the word of your aldermen that the "due diligence" was done and the numbers they presented reveal we should buy a truck. Good for you and your peace of mind. However, many people are not as trusting in their very "approachable" aldermen based on what we have observed from them and other Peru elected officials over the years. I'm all for keeping our sewers cleaned out in order to make basment flooding less likely. But I also want my elected officials to ensure this activity is accomplished in an efficient and economical fashion demonstrating the "best use" of my tax dollars. The last thing I want is my elected officials using bogus numbers to justify a $450,000purchase for purely political reasons in an election season. You apparently have faith and confidence in some of Peru's elected officials. I'm glad for you. I do not and the reason I do not is because I have observed them. I have observed their decision making and I have observed the results of the decisions they have made. I'm sorry, but almost every one of them are just not up to the job they are supposed to be doing representing the people of Peru. I'm sorry. These people are simply clueless when it comes learning, researching, and putting in the work they are supposed to be doing to make informed decisions. Sorry!

Anonymous said...

[start sarcasm]

I think Boss Harl shut down the Internet this morning to try to stop the blogging.

[end sarcasm]

Sarcasm notes added because there are many people that read this blog that have no sense of humor and cannot detect sarcasm even if they where at a National Lampoon Convention.

Anonymous said...

8:27 and All - I think we can all agree that cleaning out the sewers is a good thing that must be done on a continuing basis and that it is not a one time project.

I think most, if not all, of the controversy is around the circumstances of this purchase. Specifically - Why was in NOT included in the budget?

All to often, the City of Peru makes very large financial decisions OUTSIDE of the normal budgeting process. This is just the latest one. I don't have it in front of me, but I don't think any vehicle purchase has ever been in the budget.
This lack of discipline regarding the budgeting process does not instill confidence in management. It makes it appear as if or even verifies the fact that the City is operated nonprofessionally and in a constant mode of crisis.
Furthermore, I am fully confident that this new tool not going to be utilized to its full capability. In the coming year, the crisis of the day will supersede any unwritten plans. Forgive me for my cynicism - but experience dictates this to be the case.
A wise man once said, you can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time. We need to be diligent friends and continue to point out discrepancies in the story as we see them. We also need to drive home the FACT that government at all levels works for the people - not the other way around. The people running the government can only do WHAT WE ALLOW THEM TO DO!

Anonymous said...

8:27. I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I do not see how they did not do their homework. A lot of time and research went into it. Even if it fails in two years, and they sell the truck, they are saving significant money each year. There are NO additional employees needed to run it, despite what people on here say.

I also do not see how this is an election issue. Are you saying that Waldorf or others will say "We spent $450,000 on a Vactor truck, vote for me!" I somehow doubt that is the case. The average voter doesn't know or care what a vactor truck is.

There are also comments on here at times that the city just buys vehicles for fun. So they can put them in a garage. If you think that, you are also living in fantasy land and actually have no idea what is going on. Despite a few silly comments and conspiracies, there is actually planning and thought that goes into purchases like these.

100 percent of the council, including blog favorite Perez, were in favor of the truck and agreed it would be more efficient. The only reason to be against it was because it was "not in the budget."

Okay. That is a point one could argue, but the elected representatives agreed to change the budget to purchase something that they thought they needed. So be it.

This is the job of elected officials. To make decisions. To use reason and judgment. Despite what some of you think, you cannot quantify every decision. Someone on here said to "audit" the numbers. They say stupid things like this and "someone should investigate" instead of understanding that the city is doing normal, routine business. They made a decision. That is what they are elected to do.

Not all elected people are corrupt. If that were the case, then everyone would become corrupt the moment they were elected. If fact, I have found most locally elected people, be it county board, city council, school board, etc. to be very good people who got into it because they care and want to serve their community. it does not mean they are perfect.

But some of the comments on here tell me some of you have never had so much as a conversation with one of them. You are reading anonymous posts and forming conclusions based on that. What a mistake.

Think for yourselves. I think some on here do. But the crazy comments and ridiculous accusations are ludicrous. Anyone who thinks they should all be voted off "except Perez" is a guaranteed indicator that you do not think for yourself or know what is going on.

The beautiful thing is we have another election in April. We get to vote. The voters will speak again, and then if any new ones come on board you can call them all "corrupt" and "lining their pockets" and all kinds of other things. Or, better yet, some of you can run yourselves and then you can be accused of all kinds of evil things.

It's funny, because most of the council has changed, and things are very different than how it was for many years. Very different. Very much improved. Not perfect. But much better. Like most of Peru's citizens, I judge the entire body of work, not from rumors or conspiracies, but from facts over time.

Thank you for letting me share.

Anonymous said...

The question is simple. Quality wise, delivery date and all costs included which would be the most efficient to outsource a local, experienced sewer inspection procedure or to create the same procedure in house from scratch?
Preseently the question needs clarification of having the proper material with agreed upon correct numbers to even start a true inquiry. Isn't this sad.

Anonymous said...

To 6:35 AM, Michelini will still be in Harl's pocket becuase he will still be given city work and he will continue to pony up campaign bucks. You don't seem to understand that nobody is siding with Michelini. He will still get his. People just want the sewers cleaned out at the most cost-effective way to the taxpayer. If its IV Excavating or with a city owned Vactor it doesnt't matter to me. But, I expect my elected officials to do it honestly and correct. That's all.

Anonymous said...

Hurls basement !!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:06 AM
Do you realize that different forms of media call for different forms of communication? What is said over a TV newscast, radio station or internet although identical wording may not come to the same results. Sarcasm and humor can become confusing over a internet especially if you do not know the person expressing it.
Why Mayor Harl has not become involved with the blog and submit comments of his own and also become more transparent is a puzzle to many. Don't you believe that if he was more expressive to open discussion and his own views ( I said discussion not debate) it would result in a tremendous improvement. I am not saying that we would always like it but it would be easier to accept and the citizenship would have a better understanding of the direction he and each individual alderman was directing the city. The best leaders make efforts to assure all of what we are doing and how we intend to do it therefore getting support. Peru citizenship ia at a stage of disinterest in politics and this is the only reason incumbents have been reelected. In a politically active city you would have seen a continous change of faces similar to musical chairs. Proof of disinterest is that Peru's last Mayor was in continuous office for 48 years and the present Mayor is on his second term, the previous city clerk was in office for 16 years and the present city clerk is in his second term and many aldermen are in office for over 20 years, finally the city attorney has held the same position for 30+ continuous years. The same engineering firm has been in postion for 60+ years and water treatment contract is going on 30 years without competitive bids. Many committee and board members have been on the same committee/boards since creation and show no signs of welcoming fresh blood. Longevity can be positive but it can also create a envirnoment that the wheels get stuck in the mud and never move forward.Peru presently is not existing under the proper mix of longevity/change and has bcome a rat nest for greed and stagnancy.

Anonymous said...

10:28 the reason videos were approved is because Kristie (NOT ALDERMAN PEREZ) started recording the minutes and putting them on Youtube. Do you remember when Alderman Wahldorf or Ferrari sarcastically stated at a council meeting "why waste the money on recording when Kristie is doing it anyway...Kristie when will it be placed on the internet?"

Although Alderman Perez jumped the video bandwagon he was not the catalyst for the change. It was Kristie and a group of committed activists (or vocal minority per Chief Bernabie) that brought about changes in Peru. The credit goes to the citizens of Peru and you Lois for your continued efforts to keep the citizens informed.

Change does not happen from involved politicians it happens when citizens become involved in their politicians.

Anonymous said...

Historically a outside source such as a newspaper would investigate and publish results of its findings whenever a circumstance such as completely different financial figures from a vendor and a city are submitted for the same services and a major purchase of near $500K is the end result of such.
A failure to do such is a failure to properly service the circulation and has been accepted for too long. This blog is the only segment of the area that provides its citizenship unbiased information and open discussion.

Lois said...

Peru Logic:

We are selling some of our lawn mowers because we are outsourcing the job of grass cutting but will continue to hire the same number of people to do less of the work including the addition of summer help.

We are buying a new expensive vactor truck, will need to train or hire to keep this running and will be used when we have the men and time to run it versus we used to outsource to an independent contractor who did the work and maintained the equipment, all when needed.

Proud to say that all of these decisions are made by individuals with no prior experience in these fields of work.

This is how it looks like to the average Peru residents and NO ONE has explained the logic behind their decisions.

Also I do not know the contractor or anything about him other than a previous close association with the mayor and maybe a few council members.

Show me the correct logic according to the administration and crew.

Anonymous said...

It is difficult enough to account for big city politics in a big city as well as a little town of 10,000 where big numbers tend to stand out more.
I have followed the finances of Dixon, Il, and now starting to question how many financial books Peru, Il. is working with.
The system is set up that everything, especially the government, is questionable. But Peru seems to have more than a reasonable share of problems. What is your problem Peru?

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:26
LOGIC - science of reasoning; correct reasoning

Sorry, end of discussion, nothing to show.

Anonymous said...

8:27 - it is also the job of elected officials - at the municipal level - to come up with a long term plan and ensure the management team conducts operations that meet that plan. I don't care what you say - $400K non-budgeted expenditures (that are not caused by an emergency) spells amateur hour to me.

Anonymous said...

12:13 good point. I do like that Alderman Perez jumps on every comment made on the forum. Nothing like having a elected official that response to every anon. post. I wonder if some of the post are made to create comedy at city hall? Its working and thank Perez not Kirsty.

Anonymous said...

12:53 I guess that buying a vactor truck would be considered a short-term and long-term plan for sewer control. I would think that separation of sewers would be both a short/long term plan. I would think that a balanced budget with reserves would be a good plan. How do we know that this item wasn't in the budget? Because Rodney said so? What would happen if the city had to source out hundreds of thousands for a new electric line for a major employer? It's not in the budget? If the city can afford the needed item for the benefit of the residents of Peru to insure that sewer lines are clean. So be it. I was at the meeting a few short years ago and the city council placed a vactor truck in the budget. Why such the candor about this piece of machinery?

Anonymous said...

Do contractors who work for the city turn in vouchers to the city of work done? The reason I ask is if Mr. Michelini turned in vouchers that were specific to the work done with the total for that work, why is there such a big discrepancy in the numbers? Not being sarcastic or trying to be funny, just wondering how the city conducts its business.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:13 I was at those meetings when Rod introduced video recording council meetings. The time you're referencing about Kristy video recording meetings was when the council was debating Perez on reasons why they would not support the city recording meetings. I think it was Ferari that said the public could record the meetings and post them on you tube if they wanted to. Ferrari was being scarcastic towards Kristy because of her recording the 2010 City party then posting on you tube. Rod was the one who shoved transparency into the faces of council and put them on the spot to where they had no choice but to vote yes. I assure you the council hated Kristy and sure would not have passed it or added it for passage because Kristy wanted it. As I was present during that time frame it was indeed Rod and no one other than him. I will not bother attending any more meetings until Dave Waldorf is replaced. He was nothing but mean and rude to me and a few others on a couple occasions. I will not be treated that way. So now I choose to watch meetings from home. Thanks to Rod I can do that. I have needed assistance over the past 2 years since my run in with Dave W and Tony Ferrari. I now call Rod Perez when I need anything.

Anonymous said...

12:53 - buying a tool is not a plan. If the city had to run new "electric lines" that cost "hundreds of thousands" then the project schedule would probably allow for budgeting.
I know there are things that cant be foreseen. The need for this truck is not one of them.
How do I know it is not in the budget? Because I read the budget. It is posted on the city web page.

Anonymous said...

4:37 - no. They just send the city a bill.

10:19 - the city meeting recordings was a topic of conversation going all the way back to 2009. Harl was for it - then he was against it. Now we have a system that is expensive and ineffective. The audio quality is poor and the video might as well not be used. I've tried to listen to the meetings but it is so poor and in the rare cases when the audio is clear, you can't tell who is talking unless you recognize their voice. The current system is a total waste and it is my opinion that it is by design. I'm not exaggerating, a 13 year old could set up a better system for about $1,000.
Furthermore - they do not record the committee meetings and that is where the decisions are actually made. The council meetings are just a joke - very rarely is there honest debate.

Anonymous said...

10:19 Your way-off on this hero worship. It was Mayor Harl who wanted the meetings on video in the first few meetings of his administration. The discussion was on how to best accomplish the video means. After much discussion it was Connecting Point. I don't know if they have been the solution or not. I do know that Mayor Harl made this a campaign promise and it has been done.

Anonymous said...

Very well stated 10:19, both Waldorf and ferrari need to be replaced in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

8:18 lets talk about mayor Harls campaign promises. Are you just being funny or was that a serious comment? The only promise Harl made and kept was change. He changed alright. He changed his mind and decided to make his term in office all about his own agenda and 150. I'm glad he only has two years left and hopefully Ald.Perez gets new faces seated so he can have help stopping the runaway train.

Anonymous said...

Perez for Mayor in 2017! He is in a perfect position. Once he wins re-election to Alderman by a land slid, he can run for mayor in the next election without giving up his seat. When he wins that election, he can appoint anyone he wants to take the remaining two years of his term.

After the election this April - the concentration needs to be on ridding ourselves of Boss Harl. Whatever it takes, he has to go.

Anonymous said...

Talk about a runaway train? What would happen if the city had not elected Harl in 2009?

Anonymous said...

10:19 we all understand you are infatuated and admire "Rod" but you indeed missed the depot on your transparency train. First Kristi then Lois then Brian then Travis (sorry if I forgot anyone) provided forums for individuals yearning for transparency in Peru and your buddy "Rod" just bought a ticket. Although he is currently the most transparent alderman in Peru don't dismiss the forums and engaged citizens who originally brought transparency to Peru. Another thought maybe your buddy "Rod" has pushed transparency too far and that is why so many meeting of the whole are held in private session?

Change does not happen from involved politicians it
happens when citizens become involved in their politicians.

Anonymous said...

10:19 Your rhetoric is wonderfully slanted and sounds desperate if anything at all. Whatever way the wind blows or the blog slants you can count on Rodney. If you want to change the name of the city, you know who to call. If you want a raise, you know who to call. If you want Fireworks blasting homes at Baker Lake, you know who to call. The difference is that Waldorf and Ferrari have enough on the ball to consider the interest of all of Peru, not just those playing the city for laughs.

Anonymous said...

Is it since council meetings are poorly video tapped and on we site that there are more committee meetings where they are not video tapped. Think. Sure, no problem video council meetings, but, we'll just have more committed meetings like blogger stated where decisions are actually made. Wow, like nobody could figure that out. What a game and non transparency we have at city hall. Most of them should be embarrassed to show their face in public. Wonder if those go out in public solo or need a buddy system when going out socially?

Anonymous said...

8:58 You were one of those who were guided by campaign promises? And now you have the belief that Rodney Perez is the leader you want? Gullible? Family? Funny? Be serious about choices you make, it costs you money.

Anonymous said...

11:38

[Start Sarcasm] - If they use they use the buddy system it will be a violation of the Open Meetings Act. [end sarcasm]

Anonymous said...

A well known business man said it all yesterday ! It so cold outside I saw a politician with his hands in his Own Pockets!!!!!'

Anonymous said...

9:57, I agree that many private citizens pushed for video taping council meetings, but if not for Alderman Perez, they would still not be videotaped. He was on the council and had power. The private citizens had no power. Rod pushed hard for videotaping and would not stop until they rest agreed.

Anonymous said...

Did you hear Waldorf on the last council meeting video say the vactor truck is his pet project. Must be an election year!

Anonymous said...

Hey Rodney, ask LP - high school if they will allow a 5 gal. water glass jug to be put in the cafeteria for donations of pennies to help support the next OP event. This jug could stay for sporting events also.

Anonymous said...

According to the figures presented at the last council meeting by alderman Waldorf (see minutes of meeting in Monday's packet) we spent approximately $50,000/year for vactor services. With that figure in mind it would take us 8 years to pay for the truck we plan on purchasing (not 5 as mentioned in meeting). Keep in mind the work to be done in house needs to include the salary of the 2 people it will take to operate the machine. It also needs to include the gas, water, etc. that it takes to run it. Plus the maintenance that may be needed in that 8 year period. Remember that the $50,000 we paid by farming out the work included all these added expenses. "Food for thought".

Anonymous said...

I think a lot here are missing the point that if the city has the truck, as many other cities do, then sewer cleaning can be done on a more regular bases. Not just when a problem happens and Michilini is called in.

Anonymous said...

6:45 Do we have 2 city employees who have that much free time that they can dedicate it to running the new machine?

Anonymous said...

I am voting for anybody that runs against waldorf he sold a money maker for city he pushed to sell the railroad tracks

Anonymous said...

What doesn't Peru have that it needs in doing a cost analysis of which is advantageous = in house or outsourcing camera inspection of sewer systems?
Peru has a city engineer, financial officer and a treasurer/budget director which could be paying anywhere from $6K to $24K, C, public works administration and C, public Works field supervisor which totals a payroll of $350+ yearly and cost of fringe benefits. I will not include the consulting engineering firm which bills the city for a average of nearly a million/year as in no way should they be involved.
A committee of the above listed jobs should be able to break down costs to decide if each responsibility should be in house or outsourced be it lawn service, sewer inspection snow removal etc.
Their are more than enough man hours paid for to accomplish these studies now lets see if the man hours can be properly applied to get the job done.

Anonymous said...

After reading the disbursements for Monday's council meeting I witnessed several charges for leasing/buying a backhoe. I am pretty sure we already have one of our own. At least we did when G. Bleck was superintendent of public works. Does anyone have an explanation for this?

Anonymous said...

9:51, that is how things roll in Peru. Money comes in from the residents and then is distributed out to the friends, family, and business associated with a select few. All the while, running things they what "they always have been" no matter whose face is up front.

Anonymous said...

I too read the disbursements and didn't realize that on top of the $1600 cost of the new xmas tree for city hall we reimbursed the schools $320 for the ornaments they made. Yet, some question and comment on Rodney's family fun day that cost the city NOTHING. I guess it's true. It depends on who you are in this town.