“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Thursday, August 20, 2015

What Is Operation Promise and Why It Came Into Existence?

 Developed in 2009 by Rodney Perez, a former Peru alderman

This is a non for profit group comprised of colunteers with a mission to open eyes and to save lives by:

Bringing attention to the consequences of irresponsible choices

Promoting accountability for all choices we make and actions we take and providing alternatives to counteract the peer pressures teens and families face.

This program was initially part of the Peru Liberty Fire Dept and that is a long article by itself. Perez as you may have read is the Education firefighter of the Peru Fire Department. So many changes have taken place in the department due to changes put forth by the city under  the direction of Mayor Scott Harl and due to personality issues within the city, that  caused Operation Promise to separate from the fire department and because a NFP, although still supported the Peru Fire Chief.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Look on the internet.....Operation Promise is a event that is in many communities. Many other departments both police and fire put on programs than encourage safe choices during prom weeks. It helps and don't think there is a negative aspect about the program. If is helps one, it is worthwhile. As far as lasting benefit, that is tough. The message is great! We all hope that the kids get the message. Like many other events you hope that the parades, fundraising and theatre productions is for the kids. Good luck, and why is this a city discussion topic?

Anonymous said...

As no present elected city officials or appointed city officials are discussing Operation Promise it is not a city discussion topic.

Anonymous said...

3:53, it is best that the city is not involved. They would just try to find some way to spread some butter.

But, if the PFD is to be banned from anti drunk driving campaigns, maybe it would be beneficial for the private organization, Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service to take up the call. Maybe involve the LaSalle Fire and Ambulance Service and the State Police.

Point being - the less the City of Peru Council and Administration have to do with anything, the better.

Peru Town Forum said...

4:22 PM

Good points

Perhaps attitudes will change in the future.

For the present what you have stated will probably happen.

Anonymous said...

To 3:53
From Rodney Perez

All you had mentioned have been involved since 2010 we also have fire, police and ambulance services from Utica, Tonica, Oglesby, Ladd, LaSalle, and Granville teamed up with us. Along with OSF Life Flight, IVCH, LaSaale County Sherriff Dpt. and LaSalle/ Putnam County Coroners.

Anonymous said...

@3:53 then why did one city alderman FOIA Operation Promise's tax returns. Apparently at least one city of Peru elected official is discussing it.

Anonymous said...

8:26 PM - FOIA is not the correct term. Non-profit organizations are not covered under the Freedom of Information Act. That law only applies to governments and government agencies.

However, the IRS and nonprofits themselves are required to disclose the information on Form 990 to anyone who asks. Nonprofits must allow public inspection of these records during regular business hours at their principal offices. However, many people won't even need to ask -- a number of websites make Forms 990 available for the searching, including the Foundation Center at http://fdncenter.org and GuideStar at www.guidestar.org.

In addition, people can request information from the IRS by writing a letter, including the name of the organization, the year, and the type of tax return requested, and send it to:

Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Attn: Freedom of Information Reading Room
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224

Anonymous said...

Front page of the News Tribune today. County Board President Jerry Hicks complaining because disabled veterans are getting a property tax reduction. The county is "loosing" $68,000 - these local veterans lost blood.

Anonymous said...

Monday's city council meeting agenda is finally posted. I see that the "letter of recommendation" from the task force will be received and placed on file which means we will probably NOT be informed as to its' contents. I just don't understand why we wasted these people's valuable time if we weren't even going to openly discuss their findings. What's the big secret or fear of revealing their recommendation? They were given 2 options - yes or no as to the need for an administrator. What did they uncover that we are afraid to reveal?

Anonymous said...

I think the task force's recommendation will definitely be announced. Received and placed on file is done with all the reports after they have been read.

Peru Town Forum said...

3:42 P.M.

Does a report or brief summary of the report need to be read to the council? Or can they simply say as they do with minutes of previous meetings, to receive and place on file? In which case, they are not read as each member already has a copy and can request corrections if they find an improper wording.

Anonymous said...

it is at 6;30 meeting

Anonymous said...

3:42 That's not true. None of the reports are read at a council meeting. I highly doubt that we will be informed of any of the information on the task force's written recommendation. I do hope I'm wrong but I will be surprised if I am. I think the council plans on doing just what the agenda says - accept the recommendation and place on file. I just wonder what file it's put into and do we have the right to access that file?

Anonymous said...

3:42 of course you do have right to se it. you have been to enough meetings and know enough about foia that it is public. why playing so unsure?

Anonymous said...

There are two possibilities. The Boss Hurley will either like the report and move quickly to appoint Barnaby Jones as the new Peru Admin Czar or... Boss Hurley will not like the report and burry it while he appoints Barnaby Jones as the new Peru Admin Czar. At the same time, I think old Hurley got thrown for a loop with the Mautino announcement. This is changing some schedules. The City Admin Lackey might have taken a back seat while he figures out the logistics behind his move to Springfield. There is still a lot of bread that needs buttering in Peru and old Hurly needs to be sure whichever Dave gets his old Boss of Peru job will be buttering the same bread. At the same time, when he appoints Barnaby Jones as Lackey, he needs to be sure that the "Dave" won't interfere. Some very careful politicking needs to be accomplished in the next few weeks. How this all plays out should be quite entertaining.
Oh, and don't forget those commission members. They need Boss Hurley's vote in Springfield. I wonder how that impacted their "report."

Anonymous said...

6:38 AM, you are correct in saying that it doesn't matter what the task force recommendation is because Boss Hurley can do whatever he wants. It would be a huge slap in the face to the task force committee though if their recommendation was Peru does not need a city admin and Hurley appoints one any way.

Anonymous said...

Why are you people talking about appointing a city administrator? Mr. Bernabei already holds that title and considers himself the administrator. The only difference I can see if he his officially appointed such so he can get a larger salary.

Anonymous said...

3:07, when that happens, they will need to hire a new police chief also.

Anonymous said...

Bingo 3:07 PM If Mr. Bernabei gets appointed city administrator, it will mean much more money for him.

Anonymous said...

there is much more bread to be buttered than Barnaby Jones' paycheck. But the buttering needs to be shielded from the Boss. Hence the Paper Tiger in the form of an "Administrator" instead an actual "Manager." I blind man can see what is happening.