“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

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Peru Summer Programs




46 comments:

Peru Town Forum said...

Since we had such a rainy summer,I don't know how well the programs went this year. Did your children or grandchildren go and any suggestions?

I don't mind putting things like this on the blog if I know where the information is and its not a big hassle.

I also see that some of you are aware of issues and I see that someone either on the board or of the city is doing some downplay of current issues. The turnover is better now than it was a number of years ago but little city involvement by elected officials is still something lacking.

4:13 PM, July 19, 2015 Delete

Anonymous said...

So as it turns out there is way more than just baseball, softball and tennis. Way more. Actually I knew this because I have had kids participate and they do a great job.

Anonymous said...

None of these programs combined with any other duties of the "Wreck Director" (scheduling parades and movies) justify the excessive compensation paid to Linda Kasik.
The position of Recreation Director should be subject to a job description and a fair hiring process to allow qualified candidates to apply. The rec director position is a patronage position that is leftover from the Baker era. In fact, the current director has used the position to create her own "mini-patronage system" to determine who will be hired as teachers and instructors of all the cutsie programs on the schedule. She should be fired for using and abusing the position and an internship program should be established to allow a college student pursuing a degree in a related field to run the city programs honestly. Patronage must be purged from the city of Peru.

Anonymous said...

great job peru parks and rec and city

Anonymous said...

So, 7:32 if you our your person was in there, hiring you or your people, then everything would be ok. Right?

It seems to me that everything regarding recreational and community events in Peru is centered around who will be paid and how much they will be paid.

These programs should not be viewed as money making schemes or "bread buttering" activities for local businesses. Unfortunately, that is all Peru cares about.

If you ask me, the first thing that should happen - as soon as the summer is over - is a series of meetings that the public can participate in. The purpose of these meetings is to define what events and recreation programs the city should support. These meetings should not consider funding or hiring - only what is wanted and when and were it should happen. They should be ad-hoc without structure - no closed sessions or agendas. Just people talking. Move on to more formalized committee after that.

My main points are - these programs cost money, they don't make money. Maximum use of UNPAID volunteers is mandatory. Maximum use of donations from local business is mandatory. Money making schemes by cronies is prohibited.

All that being said, it will never happen. Because in Peru, its all about the money. Mainly - how to distribute the people's money to the cronies' pockets.

Anonymous said...

I don't think the rec board should be involved in, or help monetarily support baseball, softball, or soccer as they are independent organizations. The city supports each league with money from the cell tower and manpower to prepare the diamonds, parents pay for their kids to play, they run the concession stands, and also get community support from business sponsors. To me the "rec and park board" should be responsible not only for recreational activities but also for upgrading and improving our parks and the equipment therein. Are citizens aware that even though they do provide the summer camps listed above that each and every camp director is paid for the services they provide?

Anonymous said...

Interesting reading in the disbursements dated 7/15/2015


Bob Vickery travel to Oak Brook - $261 – Based on government millage reimbursement standards, this should be $50

$840 for “Local Government News”

Why are we buying the Freemason St. John’s Lodge a new awning for $335?

Why are vehicles being serviced at Schimmer when we have a full time mechanic? Over $2,000 (by they way, they donated to “the fund”). We also pay Peru Auto Electric for auto maintenance parts.

The Parks fund paid $4,229 for “baby changing stations.” We paid $8.0000 for grass cutting. Apparently Sunset Park needed some landscaping since we paid $2,500 for that. But a few lines down, we spent almost $11,000 for a new lawn mower.

We spent $2,000 from the motel tax to an auto body shop to paint a city sign. And another $200 to a local gravel company for “DON Gravel Peru Sign” whatever the heck that means.

$3,500 for “specialty landscaping matl” at the airport.

Anonymous said...

It's all about the money in Peru. Nothing is worth mentioning unless there is a buck to be made.

Anonymous said...

There has to be a way to get other cities to pay for our rec department. Maybe a special "Home Rule Recreation Sales Tax" - that way LaSalle and Oglesby can pay for Peru Little League. We got the think outside the box - after all, we are the Lead Spender of the Valley.

Peru Town Forum said...

10:55 A.M.

Thank you for your observations. The disbursements are always an interesting read - your tax dollars at work.

From the minutes of the last Council mtg. Alderman Potthoff noted the increase of March sales tax of 8.5% over last year.

This is a comment frequently made and I began to wonder because I certainly don't see a huge increase in shoppers when I am shopping or simply driving by the shopping areas of Peru. So my question "Is this because more people are actually shopping or is it because the prices of the goods being purchased cost us that much more?. I do know that large appliances are increasing in price and shoes have almost become a luxury unless you buy ones for only a couple of months wear.

Anonymous said...

How about the reimbursement to the Ludford building for roof repairs? And the money given to Mr. Vickrey as economic developer and then to oval wacker (his business name) for economic development?

Anonymous said...

14 baby changing stations

Anonymous said...

what is the Ludford Building?

Lois - it is also possible that the increase in sales tax may be coming from automobile sales. the home rule kickers are no on auto sales, but the normal tax is charged.

Peru Town Forum said...

11:56 AM

Yes I do believe auto sales are a HUGE piece of our sales tax revenue because nothing else makes any sense.

Ludford building is a dentist or eye dr in Peru, I think near city hall.

Anonymous said...

I believe the Ludford building is a dental office on 4th street.

Anonymous said...

and why is the city paying for roof repairs

Anonymous said...

11:25 Why doesn't Peru discontinue its fireworks that cost a minimum of $20K/year which LaSalle and Oglesby attend and use that money to pay for its youth baseball and recreation. and maybe LaSalle and Oglesby restrict its pool usage to city residents only.
See your not the only selfish nut from Peru.
Everyone should use your time and ideas for positive constructive ideas. If you ever shop outside of Peru keep your sales slip and call back to the local government and you will learn that a large percent of cities have had for years the same financing of road and schools as Peru.
Thankfully Peru has a Mayor and School Superintendent that are trying to catch the city up to the present century.

Anonymous said...

why would Peru buy a roof for them?

Anonymous said...

Another A-1 report in the Schott Harl For Mayor report. Filed on 7/16/2015. Chellino Crane Inc, Joliet IL, $1050.00

From the quarterly report, there is a $250 donation from a Chicago Lawyer. This Lawyer is active in practicing accounting and banking malpractice, he also prosecutes qui tam actions for fraud committed against the United States and the State of Illinois. He is one of the leading personal injury attorneys in Illinois that specializes in appellate advocacy on behalf of tort victims.

Anonymous said...

12:14, don't you know sarcasm when you see it. Jeez. Learn to take a joke.

Anonymous said...

The downtown improvement program was to be for improvements to the front of businesses to keep downtown looking nice. Not for roof repairs. I live in Spring Valley or I would have fun with FOIA requests. Maybe Rodney or Lois needs to FOIA that one.

Anonymous said...

First off one appointed employee is friends with some of the people that have had the fortune of getting business out of we taxpayers. I'm still not over the detailing of a command vehicle at $140. Wake up alderman and Mr. . Mayor. We aren't stupid. I know 6 people in the next year and a half who are leaving peru to live somewhere else. Another 4 moved within the last 2 months. What's this say. Many of whom I know say all there is to do is drink and gamble and avoid duis. But you see city employees boozing it up and driving and cheeks are turned.

Anonymous said...

8:05 PM What do the people who are moving to "somewhere else" actually know what they will be able to do that we don't have in Peru? Have they ever attended a city council meeting to express their feelings and suggested activities which they would like added to Peru?
Have they ever spoke to their alderman?

I also would like to see activities added to Peru such as a splash pad, a Farmers Market, a city ice cream social and many other events such as years ago each business had children with supervision paint pictures at Haloween on their windows. Also it would be neat to have the flower pots in front of businesses used to build straw men characters and a horse and buggy going up and down the street. Wouldn't it be exciting to have a real parade in Peru at Mardi Gras, St. Pats Day, Haloween, Christmas.

Peru needs and is deserving of a lot more from its city council than a monthly sales tax report.

Anonymous said...

We should have a beer garden in an industrial park, sell 50-50 tickets for everything, have acid rock concerts with full bar service at the airport, sell "fresh tomatoes" trucked in from Mexico while prohibiting the sale of local produce in a private parking lot, drop burning $100 bills into the river, lets see.... anything else?

Anonymous said...

Peru is not about fun. Peru is about business. Like the guy on the radio said, the Peru motto needs to be changed to "Peru, we're all business."

It was not that long ago that I actually heard the Mayor and SEVERAL Aldermen commenting on how great it would be if they could do away with all the purely residential areas in the city - except for their houses of course. I probably took it out of context, but.... you can tell that Peru cares more for entities that charge sales tax.

Anonymous said...

3:21 Why don't you FOIA that information? Hiding behind Anon on a blog and complaining won't change the things you are complaining about. Why leave it up to Lois and Rodney to keep check on unnecessary/unapproved spending? Stand up and let the city council know more than 2 or 3 people are interested in where their tax money is being spent.

Anonymous said...

8:05 People leaving Peru because of a vehicle being washed? Woe, that's imagination. I would like to think that you have some dark issues. Boozing, gambling are the reason? You have a choice to gamble and drink or enjoy a much healthier lifestyle. There are many options, I just can't believe that employees are driving drunk? Please understand that you are making a serious allegation. If you are sure then please contact the police department with the names.

Anonymous said...

9:03 -- I don’t think 8:05 said anything about employees driving drunk DURING work hours. Call the cops? For what? After reading the blog on police coverage, I would guess only those that smack a light pole or are in an accident, get any kind of ticket. I for one will not notify the police of anything. Not my job anymore. Listen to all the sirens or listen to your scanners to see what’s going on. That’s right, I don’t hear any sirens either. Read the police reports. All the bad guys are in the surrounding towns, where the cops catch them. None in Peru, unless a store employee catch's a shop lifter and holds him/her, until a cop shows up.

Anonymous said...

And why is Barnaby Jones posting pictures of people on Facebook asking for information without giving a reason? Seems odd and a bit fascist to me.

Anonymous said...

A lot of crazy comments from sadly misinformed people. Our police department is outstanding and I just love the comment "from readig the blog..." Thats just it. Read the blog for fun. Not for facts. We are far from perfect but we have so many good people trying to mob e the city forward. Also the comment above that all that matters is a sales tax report? Any town would do anything to have our sales tax base (and they certainly all try) but all people here can do is criticize. I can assure you that the city leaders care far more about just what he last sales tax collections were. These comments say nothing about the city and everything about those making them. Quit whining and run for office or find another way to get involved. Oh wait. I forgot. You have to be a secret insider to get involved right? Right. That's it. Keep believing that if it makes you feel better.

One more thing. The lies about the reasons leaving. I can tell you several people who have moved here recently and are very happy here. People don't leave because a few people are talking about the stupid car wash thing. If that is the big complaint, it says a lot about how good things are.

And just for the hateful comments I expect, I am not an insider, a cheerleader and I have no business relationship with the city or or of its leaders outside of Knowing a few. I'm just a normal person who knows how hard Publix service is. Thankfully most of us believe we will continue to move forward.

Anonymous said...

They don't even let people volunteer to wash city vehicles. It Interferes with buttering the bread.

Anonymous said...

Why does Peru with all the idle time of fire and policemen need volunteers to wash city vehicles?

Anonymous said...

11:29, they don't. Peru pays "friends" to was city vehicles. $140 a pop. It's called "buttering the bread." That is how things roll in Peru. Its called "Economic Development."

Anonymous said...

1:20 In order to have some respect, you have to do something to earn it.

Anonymous said...

9:45
I agree with 1:20 all that is ever on this blog is how bad the city of Peru is and how the elected officials are Buttering the Bread of their friends. Hogwash!!! In a town of 10000 people those who are willing to put themselves out there and own a business are the same people who provide jobs and do business with the city. It takes those people to keep the citizens who don't or won't put themselves out there as a business owner. I know more people who have moved here than that have moved away. Families that love our city.
Do we need to do more in terms of community activities sure.

But I tell you this I am so SICK of everyone on this blog bashing Peru.
STOP IT
And Lois you should not allow this to continue

Anonymous said...

3:39, how much butter is on your bread?

Anonymous said...

3:39

That’s the way to do it. Lets candy coat everything and then there is no need for a blog. Things will be peachy dandy from here on out. Gonna be a little hard though, when you physically see and hear things with your own eyes and ears. Blog is interesting to read as you see what others have seen or heard and to see if anyone agrees with your observations. As far as people loving Peru, the few that I know that have moved to the Chicago area have no plans what-so-ever to return here. As far as those that stick their head out to run a business, is that so they can provide jobs or is it so they can fill their own pockets ? NEVER going to get rich working for someone else. Especially at minimum wage.

Anonymous said...

3:39
If reading this blog makes you so sick, might I suggest you take two chocolate chip cookies and never read the blog again. Hopefully you will feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

7:22, what the person is saying is all you do on the blog is complain, put some skin in the game and run for office, or submit your name when openings come about on the rec board.. Being an armchair official is the biggest problem.

Anonymous said...

8:46 you make me laugh! Do you know how many people have put their names out there to help this city, either in an election or volunteering, and have been beat because the city officials gather their friends/family to vote against that person or been told "no thanks" we don't want any volunteers. Being an official who doesn't hear (and doesn't care) what the citizens want is the biggest problem.

Anonymous said...

8:46 You can put your name in for many openings but if you are not known as one of the followers of Peru's political regime you will not be appointed. There have been many well qualified names submitted to the rec board and they were politely informed - thank you but no thanks.

Anonymous said...

6:00
My bread is buttered with my hard work. I don't due business with the city of Peru because what I due there is no work for my company. However I do know business owners who do work with the city and they have earned their work honestly and by offering the best product. Before you all go off and start complaining about no-bid contracts and underhand deals I would ask that you prove that something was done illegal and underhanded.
When people bring up the no-bid contracts and conspiracy theories, that to me shows they are upset that their company or friend didn't get the job.

It is my impression that most of the participants in this blog have tried to become elected officials of have been on the council and lost their seats.
So I will take all your comments about what I said with that in mind.
Please come to the table with a productive idea not just to complain. their are many of us business owners who would like to hear something other than whining.


Anonymous said...

@11:12 AM No bid contracts are not illegal, underhanded, yes. When you award a multi-million dollar contract without going for bids, it's underhanded. It's not illegal because of the super majority, but it's not a wise use of taxpayer dollars.

Anonymous said...

9:08, how do you explain Linda D's appointment to the rec. board?

Anonymous said...

1:59, Linda D was the "lesser of evils" so to speak of the applicants received for that open spot on the rec board.

Anonymous said...

you are correct 2:22 and Linda D is aware of that fact.