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And we think we have issues, see if you can follow the plot in this true article. Police officers, police chiefs, city administrators and election signs in a police officers yard and finally lawsuits.
69 comments:
What a mess!
Another article in the NT today bemoaning the lack of medically approved customers for our local marijuana producers and sellers. My prediction - the Oglesby facility will never get off the ground. I think that anyone locally that gets a "prescription" will continue to buy off the black market at a much lower price.
Step 1: Mautino has been selected as Auditor General.
Step 2: Harl takes Mautino's spot in Springfield.
Step 3: Potthoff gets appointed Mayor of Peru!!
It is buried in the NT, but Mautino is one step closer to his dream retirement job. He has been recommended by the committee - all that remains is a vote of the full Legislature.
Therefore, The Boss is one step closer to Springfield.
Good things come to good people, and the ignorant continuously complain among each other accomplishing absolutely nothing.
Which proverb is that 6:55?
There is an article on the Illinois News Network about Mautino's impending appointment to this ten year gig that will net him well over $1 million dollars in pay and another pension....
Senator Oberwise will speak against it. He has some simple logic. Why are we appointing a party hack to this office? Why not somebody that has experience in accounting, auditing, and financial oversight?
This is exactly what is wrong with the State of Illinois. Now we have another item for the list of crap to fix. Amend the Constitution and change this office to one that is hired by the Governor - not appointed by the Legislature.
The other thing we need to do is remove the legislature from the districting process. As it stands now, our elected officials choose their voters, not the other way around.
@ 8:39 - I agree. Why appoint an attorney to a position that should be filled by an accountant or finance person?? It makes no sense except that it is a political payoff.
You need 3/5 vote and its done! Oberwiese has a few State pensions and nobody ever listens to the former teacher/farmer. The republicans don't ever claim Oberwise as one of their own and he is probably the richest and least effective of all. Frank had enough pull to get this far and will be supported by 85%, Rauner looks at this a opportunity for a Republican rep in the district. Rauner has already publicly supported Mautino for the spot. This will be done in the next session.
As far as the new State rep? That will be someone with Democratic ties and built in finances. It can either be a union backed or very wealthy individual that meets the merits of winning the next election.
There has been many names mentioned and I would believe that Frank Mautino will look for someone that is close to him. He may have several favors to give in this process. And with as many years as he has been in office that list may be to large to separate one candidate. Look at LaSALLE County as being the place to hold the most power in the selection process. Who are the most electable candidates in the county. He/ She must have been elected several times. They must have the ability to raise funds. Eliminate any teacher, lawyer, white collar professional. We like truck drivers and blue collar workers! They are the ones that have a chance to win---the next election.
10:25, he is a beer salesman with a B.S. in marketing.
12:55, that is even worse!
12:38 - Can't tell if you are praising the process or condemning it. Anyway, lets see. But I'll put it out there - the selection process for this office is flawed AND the selection process for a State Rep. or State Senator that QUITS HIS JOB is flawed.
We need to change the State Constitution to prevent an elected official from quitting the job and then having his or her political party appoint a replacement just so that person can run as an incumbent. They should not be allowed to quit unless they move out of their district or can't perform the job due to medical reasons. If either of these happen - the Governor should appoint the person that came in second in the last election.
Now the Harl.
LaSalle County - Check
Fund Raising Ability - Check
Blue Collar - Check
Election Wins - Check
I will be so glad when this position is filled so the idiots who think it is Harl will shut up. He is NOT going to be appointed to Mautino's seat. This is getting so tired and old listening to the nonsense.
How do you like your Crow served 5:18?
@5:18 & 7;44 and all others:
Why wouldn't Mayor Harl logically be the the favorite choice of the Peru citizenship? Who would do more for Peru than a former Mayor of Peru?
It is shocking that the President is a former Illinois Senator and Dick Durbin is a powerful Senator and so little has been done by them for Illinois. I would expect Mayor Harl to help our city when in a Springfield chair.Both Pat Welch and Frank Mautino have pushed hard and endlessly for our area. Gary Dahl came home with the attitude nothing could get done.
7:44 I hate to tell you. It's not happening.
Thank you to 12:38 PM. Thinking comments thru before typing is not practiced by the majority of people on this blog. You have pointed out the way that politics manifests itself into these matters and how these decisions are made and by whom. Reading the story in the Daily Disappointment last night I had to laugh at the reporters total disregard for actual "reporting" of interesting details. I expect the democrats to tell the reporter that the selection process for Mautino's replacement is straightforward and will be made by party leaders from the three county area of the legislative district. Then there is the reality of the situation and my belief and understanding that the candidate vetting process is being conducted by Democratic assistants to Mike Madigan's office and has been ongoing for months and "they" are close to making "their" decision. I know these things because I talk to people involved in local politics and I ask questions and sometimes I get honest answers. I know most people will not have the number of political contacts that I have, but a local reporter should have many more contacts and access to much more information than I do. To read that baloney stating the party leaders from each county will be the ones deciding who will replace Mautino is just insulting the intelligence of anyone who understands party politics. C'mon News Tribune and reporter Tom Collins. It's obviously pretty easy to just regurgitate what somebody tells you onto the front page of your newspaper. Is it too much to ask for you to put some time, effort, and investigation into finding out what is really happening in this selection process? I get more accurate accounts of what the democrats are up to at the coffee shop in Peru than I do from the local newspaper and their ace "political reporter". C'MON MAN!
OK - 5:18, who will it be then? Eschbach? Hicks? The field is limited in LaSalle County. Forget Bureau or Putnam - nothing but farmers. Unless Mautino has it set up to get his kids appointed I don't see any other "players" in the district.
Harl has proven from day one that he is a slippery deal maker - which is what you have to be in Illinois Politics. He managed to get a sit down meeting with the US Secretary of Transportation and move the US Route 6 resurfacing project up on the list of priorities. He has been appointed to the Illinois Municipal Electric Association board. He has the backing of a labor union that is very important in Chicago politics. He receives campaign donations from influential attorneys that do business with the State of Illinois. He has the local news media wrapped around his finger. For the Mayor of a Podunk little town, he has a proven ability to raise huge amounts of campaign cash. I bet you dollars to donuts that if he is appointed to Mautino's seat, he will have a million dollars before he has to run for election. Harl is the PERFECT Illinois Politician.
Like it or not, he will end up in the General Assembly one way or another. I hope it is now so Peru can move on while he is safely tucked away in Springfield. He won't have much of an influence until he gets some seniority. Hopefully we will be able to vote him out before that happens - but only if the people around here get some sense.
But it is not all bad. When he goes to Springfield, his influence will be limited for a few years. Maybe, just maybe, the voting base will change in this area. There is a shift happening with the generations. The Boomer influence is fading away. The only thing that is keeping the local Dems in the majority is the number of Boomers and the fact that many of the younger generations departed the area. But, the numbers are about to change and the Millennials are more Libertarian and apt to be fiscally conservative.
4:13
As long as the party system exists it will always be the call of the party to replace the elected.
Governor's must stay out of the process or we take away the voter power.
Harl is more qualified than either of the Mautinos were.
To 9:44 AM, Harl is about as qualified for a state-wide office as you are as a good judge of character. Harl is a phony and a pretender and I say that as someone who knows him well. Sorry, but that is that!
10:54PM - Many people, myself included, want our representatives in Springfield and Washington DC to STOP things from happening. I don't want them to do most of what they do. I don't want $500K bocce ball fields and splash pads. The attitude that we need to send somebody to Springfield to bring Pork Spending back to Peru is obtuse.
We, as voters, need to fundamentally change the way we view government. Government is not there to take care of us!
8:33
I don't think that Madigan will have the nomination, he may only have the approval of support. And its' likely that the candidate will have the financial resources----union support. Madigan fears that the 3 county area will be controlled by the Republicans in the near future.
10:56
Stop the rhetoric....personality flaws do not eliminate anybody from public office.
This is a win for Peru.
10:56 AM, being a phony and a pretender is kind of normal for all elected officials.... from dog catcher to president, they all are.
Since when is State Representative a "Statewide Office?" Well, since never. The seat that our Boss will be occupying "represents" the denizens of LaSalle County and parts of Bureau and Putnam Counties. I suppose you could extrapolate it out and call it Statewide because he will only do what Madigan tells him to do.
We need commons sense background checks before a person can run for political office.
I heard that October 20th will be a significant date in the Boss's political history.
I had to laugh the other day when I read the story in the Fish-Wrapper about the construction on US 51 and Ben Samek Rd. by the landfill. As it is common now for Bernabei to be quoted in several different stories on a daily basis every in the newspaper I found it hilarious to see him say "I'm not a traffic engineer". I could not help but think, well Doug all you have to do is have Harl bestow the additional title of "Traffic Engineer" on you and there you go. Just add a TE onto all the other titles Harl has given you and voila, you are a Traffic Engineer. Nothing to it! Harl and the Peru City Council can make you whatever you want to be.
I see that some of the expense accounts from the recent IML convention are listed on the latest disbursements. Seems as though the cost, to the taxpayers, for our aldermen to attend this convention is rising from previous years. Wonder if we'll get any kind of reports as to what was learned by each attendee and was it worth the money.
10:43 - the State spent just about five hundred grand on that intersection. And the problem could have been solved for about five grand. All they needed to do was put a stop sign there. I predict no impact on the number of accidents there.
10:45. We need to start sending letters to State Representative Harl to introduce a bill to move the IML convention out of Chicago. Have it in some place like Decatur - it is centrally located and NOBODY will want to spend the night.
As it stands now, for Peru Aldermen, the IML convention is nothing but a party. Events start at 9:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM. Why do they need to spend three nights in a Downtown Chicago hotel? What they should do is rent a Mini-Van from Enterprise in Peru. That costs $30 a day or so - call it $150 to cover taxes, etc. They can fit at least four of them in one van. Drive back and fourth every day. Lets call it two tanks of gas - call that a hundred bucks. Since they would be home in the morning and evening, they only get reimbursed for lunch. It's a working conference, so grab a dog or a burger. Call it $20 each. There you have it. Half of our council could attend the three day conference for - $490.
According to the disbursements it looks as though it cost us approximately $1500 per person.
@12:42 PM You are selling the Illinois Valley citizen a false bill of goods on purpose, most realize that Chicago is by far the largest appropriator of finances to the balance of the state and therefor will determine itself to host major conventions.
Would you prefer that our city rep's pitch tent in a Walmart parking lot for the night and conduct a sing along by the campfire for professional entertainment?
7:30 - No, I expect our elected officials to spend the night in their own bed - not partying on the taxpayers dime. Downtown Chicago is an hour and a half drive. No reason to spend the night.
It's not held in Chicago because Chicago decides anything. Conventions are held at different locations but Chicago is the only place to hold conventions of a certain size. This one well exceeds that size. Someone mentioned Decatur. Lol
Is State Representative Harl going to have an office in Peru? Do you think he will hire anybody to manage that office? I see several good paying State Jobs coming out of this. How much do you have to donate to get one of them?
What makes you people so sure Mayor Harl will be getting Mautino's vacated position? If you're so sure that it's going to happen tell us when we can expect to get the official announcement.
Decatur was a joke people. The joke was, nobody would want to go there. Jeeez.
Overall - WHY do our Alderman think they need to stay at the Downtown Chicago Hilton to attend this conference which they can drive to every morning.
5:45 - it will happen about a day after the legislature votes Mautino in to the auditor general position on the 20th.
Thank you for responding 7:34!
If Mayor Harl receives the appt. for Representative, we will know how politically rigged the system is as i know several more qualified people who have been interviewed for the position who are head and shoulders above the mayor in qualifications.
Lou's who is so qualified?
Lois - Come on, do you actually think it is about getting the most qualified person appointed. Absolutely not, It is about appointing a person that will do as he (or she) is told - by the Chicago party leaders, not the people of the district. Always has been, always will.
He is not getting appointed to the seat. Its not happening.
Then who is 2:47?
2:47, I agree, I think it will be Skoogs !
Skoogs is not qualified. :)
Remember what I have told you people. the Springfield Dems are still laughing at Harl's interview and he is far from the top of their list. Also, even if Harl were the top choice he would never take the job because he does not have the courage or the character it takes because he would be taking a huge risk by giving up a known quantity in favor of an unknown by having to run a campaign to retain the seat in less than a year or so. There is no way Harl has the courage to give up being the bigshot in Peru and risk defeat by the Republicans that nearly beat Mautino last time. Harl knows that by taking the Mautino seat he would be risking becoming totally irrelevant and out of office within two years from now. As much as I would like to be rid of Harl in Peru, I know him well enough to know that he is totally void of the courage and character it would take to accept the Mautino seat and risk giving up what he sees as his little kingdom of Peru where he can continue to play the role of bigshot.
Take all the I think, maybes and ifs put them in a bag, shake them up take out what you end up with and realize that you have no more value of fact than you started with. The only sane comment so far has been the fact that Mautino will not be replaced until he is promoted to his next and new position.
What can be predicted is that the next representative will have outstanding campaign characteristics as neither party are willing to lose the important area which Frank has handled so well. Individual ambition and the ability to think on ones feet are also much more important in this particular appointment than intelligence. Ability to make decisions or changes will not be considered as I doubt if this office will afford opportunity to make either.
So, 7:17. What are they to do? EVERYONEN in LaSalle County is in the same situation.
It takes no courage to cast a vote exactly as you are told to do. That is all that will be expected of Rep. Harl. The voters of LaSalle County are not that bright. So, as long as Rep. Harl comes home with an oversized presentation check every once in a while, he will be re-elected. Keep in mind who he will be replacing - a guy that never worked a day in his life. He was given a job by his daddy selling beer. After daddy passé, he was given a political appointment by the same guy that will name his replacement.
Harl is exactly the type of individual that the State Democrats want. He won't say anything and will do exactly as he is told. The only X-Factor is the intelligence of the local voters. If that becomes a factor - no Democrats stand a chance anyway.
According to the news trib it appears as though Mautino is already backing Skoog as his replacement. It also appears, according to the article, that raising money for campaigning is a top priority. I disagree with both of these tactics. I'd like to know how others feel on this topic.
10:46, the NT did not say that.
"Sources on both sides of the political fence confirmed that Mautino (D-Spring Valley) some time ago advised Democrats to begin looking for his successor should he become a finalist for statewide office."
The only thing the article said is that Mr. Skoog is "interested."
The one piece of news in the article is that Ms. Benson IS NOT interested.
So lets see, the NT "news" article said that Skoog is collecting signature to run for the office in the next election. I believe it is to early, so it is likely that these signatures will not be valid. The article DID NOT say that Mautino endorsed Skoog. It said that Mautino told Party Officials that they need to pick somebody.
Just read the story in the Daily Dish Rag. You can take it to the bank that andy Skoog has been chosen by Mike Madigan to fill Mautino's seat. The story is a basic "set-up piece" prompted by Democratic operatives paving the way for the official announcement in a week or so. The party operatives from Springfield provided the "tip" that Andy just might be out collecting signatures to the Dish Rag reporter in order to set up the formal announcement for next week. You can bet your backside that Skoog is the choice folks, just like I and a few others have been telling you for weeks. Harl was NEVER a serious contender for the job and he wouldn't have had the "stones" to take the job even IF it was offered to him. Good for Andy Skoog. He absolutely kicked Vickrey's ass and that verifies his electablility in a county-wide race. He will trounce any challenger in 2016 and that's the main reason why he was chosen. Sadly, Harl will continue to rule Peru with dishonest intentions and ethically corrupt behavior. I will now tell you that Harl will likely seek to challenge Republican Sue Rezin by competing in the upcoming Primary Election against Christine Benson for the Democratic spot on the ballot General Election ballot when Rezin's term is up. Harl will do that becuase he can chance both a Primary and General Election campaign and still "maintain" his phony mayoral position. therefore, if he loses either the Primary or General election he will not have to give up his mayoral seat. I will also tell you right now that Harl will be soundly defeated by Christine Benson if he attempts to slink out of the shadows of his mayoral dirty-dealing ways. Once again, Peru will be stuck with Harl and his grandeous ego.
Skoog does not appear to be that much of a fund raiser. Reviewing his records, he currently has $54 compared to The Boss's $40,000. During his run for Circuit Clerk, he raised about ten grand - mostly from himself and local Democrats (Including the Boss and Frank).
Skoog is also and independent thinker. I think the only reason he ran on the Democrat ticket was because Bobby V. was already on the Republican ticket. Being a "thinker" in Illinois Democrat politics is discouraged.
11:29 You're right. I apologize to the NT and you. I read it somewhere that they were together a lot at Burgoo.
To 11:29 AM, So you are someone who actually believes what you are reading? You're actually buying what they are selling? Too early to collect signatures? No, it's not too early. The only thing you are right about is the fact that Mautino did not actually "endorse" Skoog. That is true, but Mautino will officially endorse Skoog next week. I want to know who will be appointed to Skoog's position and who I have to pay off to get that job? This should be an opportunity for advancement for one of the local Democratic suck-asses to move up the chain of command. Maybe Harl should take Skoog's leftovers. LOL!
Weberski will move into the Circuit Clerk position if Skoogs is called up to the big leagues. But my money is still on our Boss.
12:42, the signature comment was conjecture. Or maybe you don't know the meaning of "I believe." You must be a blast to have a face to face conversation with. Anyway, I went and looked it up. The petition period started last month.
Now for the fun part. Either way. Skoog or Harl. The Democrats are going to loose big in the next election. I am just hoping that Harl gets the nod from Madiagan so we can get rid of him once and for all.
1:16 pm, I asked Steve Weberski about the possibility of the scenerio you described. He laughed and explained that the Peru Democrats threw him out of their caucus becuase of his support for the independent township reformers and his efforts to reform the corrupt township Democrat caucus. Steve pointed out that the Peru Democrats led by Harl also banished Bill and Sue Johnson from the Democrat caucus because they supported Steve Weberski's reform efforts. So the three most active and honest members of the Peru Democratic caucus were banned for supporting party and township reforms. Steve said he has no regrets and neither do the Johnsons as they would not want to be associated with the current group of township Democrats anyway. He said Harl and the Joe Ocepinski's were the driving force behind the retaliation against them for calling for reform becuase Ocepinski Sr. is still hot about his beat down by Debo and because the Ocepinski's believe that their family is entitled to hold the office of township supervisor.
So if there is no connected Democrat to move into the Circuit Clerk seat, Skoog would need to stay put. Since Ms. Benson is definitely not interested in the Rep. seat.... who does that leave?
Boss Harl of course. Connected Democrat, Check. Union Ties, Check. Strong fund raiser (considering current office), Check. Willingness to throw his constituents under the bus in favor of political deals, Double Check.
9:58, that's not entirely true, Weberski lost his backing because he reneged on a campaign promise when they backed him for township clerk.
9:58 Your missing some key points about the whole process. Harl and the Democrats gave Weberski the position of Clerk, a position that pays very well. It was a reward for his help with party politics.
I don't know what qualifications Skoog has for another office? He was a village trustee for Utica for a short period and owned a bar and then became county clerk. He beat Vickery in the county wide election, I don't think it was because of his handle of the issues or love of the people! It was distaste for Republican Bob and all the money he threw at the election. Remember Vickery outspent Rigby by a 100-1 margin and barley won in a small county board election. To hear Skoog as a candidate for Mautino's position makes the republicans rejoice. Let's get back to earth. Harl has a war chest and can raise money, the unions love him and he has been the Mayor of one of the largest towns in the county. He has placed money in the infrastructure and has been a team democrat. To run for the Senate position would be a mistake for him. It's a different area and includes the Morris area, he won't win or come close. The republicans will exploit him in a Senate run, but they are content on giving him the House.
11:30 I agree with everything you said except "the Republicans are content with giving him the House."
That is not exactly true - the problem is there are not enough Republicans in this district. We have a lot of people that vote for the Republican candidate - but we don't have many actively involved in the party. Peru can't even fill half of its Precinct Committee seats. That proves the strange hold the Democrat (Socialist) Party holds on the Illinois Valley.
Its' poor judgment to announce you looking for a position when you have not even been in your current position for a year. And to announce that you are interested in the Rep. position before Mautino has actually been appointed shows little common sense from Skoog. Our hope is the party will be more selective before they anoint the next Democratic job jumper. Utica trustee----little time and less involvement, bar owner--sold, county clerk---a no show job with little responsibility. If your a true Democrat, your be cautious with this job. If your a cynical this is the perfect good old boy for the job. Nothing like wings, beer and politics.
I heard skoog's first act as county clerk was to get his wife a job with the county. He'll fit right in down in Springfield!
1:34 your right!
This sounds like the FOX news or republicans pundits invented Skoog as the candidate for representative. Your democratic leaders are falling for the trap. He can always run on his week long record of county clerk innovations. The girls run the office and I bring doughnuts! Its perfect for the party. Can't we expect more from County Democrats?
9:58 Skoog brings the doughnuts to the office once in a while. It will be much better if the next person shows up with those crème filled doughnuts, they will have accomplished more than Skoog has in his term with both Utica and LaSalle county. He did accomplish two tasks. He kept out Bob Vickery from another bought position and he got his wife on the County payroll.
To 9:58 AM,
The information provided to you by Mr. Weberski is accurate. However, I believe you misunderstood him when explaining the Oscepinski connection. You said Ossy felt entitled to the Township Supervisor position when he actually was defeated as Highway Commissioner.He believes that he and his family are entitled to the Township Highway Commissioner position. If Debo had not defeated Joe Sr. he was going to retire in office and give the job of Highway Commissioner to Joey Jr. "Oh, the best laid plans of rats and men".
Skoog is not the County Clerk. That job belongs to another connected Democrat. Ms. Caretto.
Skoog is the Clerk of he Circuit Court.
Why on Earth either position is an elected office is beyond me. Particularly the Circuit Clerk - they should at least put in the requirement that anyone seeking office for that position be a lawyer or paralegal.
The very capable administrator of this blog knows all who are mentioned in the 60+ comments above and has supported a few of them. In time could she share some of her views on who she believes would be the best choices and if any actually qualify. From all appearances it seems that the task force team had their leg pulled quite often, something which most did not expct what is the blogs belief on this issue, and when is it expected for the council to take action?
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