This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“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
Friday, May 27, 2016
The Entire State is Losing Jobs and Peru is NO EXCEPTION
The entire state of Illinois is increasing vulnerable to the increasing number of jobs leaving the state and rising unemployment. This needs to be handled at the state level as it seems doubtful that any one city can offer enough incentives to lure industry or any business into their city. While Peru loves sales tax for that reason it will not continue to be the golden goose that we now have. Talking to a local resident yesterday and about Peru and he laughed when he jokingly said something about Peru being thought a "shopping mecca". He was right because the recent businesses that have dome to Peru will bring in specific buyers but not the shoppers who shop just to be shopping and much of that is increasingly being purchased on line. Because of our car dealerships, motels and a few stores like Walmart, we won't suffer as much as smaller cities but that will not fix the unemployment. How much is Peru looking ahead with a plan in place and how much belt tightening do they need to do? Until the state of Illinois gets their act together. Where do you see waste if any?
Why don't you blame the right people like Madigan and his cohorts? They are the ones putting the state in a deeper hole with their excessive spenging wishes? No one should be Speaker for 30 years. NO ONE.
Thank you Gov. Rauner for trying to do something about this. We need to put the blame where is belongs - with King Madigan and his Chicago Cabal.
Also note the high unemployment rate in LaSalle County. This is due to an organized effort to prevent any kind of industrial development. Thank you Corn Dog Cabal and Starved Rock Country flunkeys.
Well, Peru has the shopping. They also have most of the major employers. I don't understand the thought that Peru is only worried about shopping? Lets be honest. Peru is a small grain when it comes to jobs in Illinois. Peru has great property tax and utility prices and TIFS. What really will help is the state reform. And then Federal involvement with bringing jobs back.
We can all blame Peru for not locating those big employers and losing Westclox. Peru has done very well considering the economic perils of Illinois. Complaining about Peru having all the retail is like complaining about temperature that's always 72 degrees.
11:55 People like you are the reason Illinois is in such bad shape. Rauner is not ruining Illinois. He's trying to fix the mess that was handed to him. He's trying to make us live within our means. But, people like you think instead of living within our means let's keep spending and when we run out of money we'll find somewhere, somehow, someway to tax the citizens of our mighty state.
If you think our payroll is way down think again. We have recently employed 32 young summer workers and 8 adult summer workers. Considering we have hired out the grass cutting, landscaping, and tree trimming what will these 40 employees do all summer long? 4 will work for TEST which I don't understand. Why would we pay 4 individuals to work for a company that we employ? 7 will work at the cemetery. What needs to be done there besides grass cutting and trimming? 7 will work at the parks which will require what? Raking care of the ball diamonds? I don't think we had this many youngsters on our payroll when the pool was up and running.
For people who like to blame one party, you have been seduced into party politics. We need term limits and I agree that Madigan needs to go, but the pension problems started under Republican governors. Let's hold them all accountable and stop with the silly party talk.
As for Peru in the original post, I am pretty sure Peru is NOT losing jobs as a city. Of course we WANT the higher paying jobs, but it is laughable that people think "city leaders" can just go out and grab these jobs. They want nothing more but like very other city they are fighting a huge uphill battle. All jobs are good jobs, but of course we need more great jobs! To be fair, Peru does an excellent job at working toward this end and has had some success doing so, and far more than anyone in the Illinois Valley and actually far more success than anywhere else in the state.
It is also nice to see some homes being built. It's not all doom and gloom here, but we need to keep working and stay positive. We have low taxes and the excellent school system is one of our greatest strengths. I think a bright future lies ahead!
8:57 PM, You make good points. The primary purpose of the summer program is to provide patronage jobs for chosen kids and adults in return for political loyalty and votes for current elected officials who like to take credit for hiring the seasonal help. Another well known scam that TEST has been allowed to get away with for many years involves having several kids assigned to TEST for the express purpose of mowing the grass at the water treatment facilities. This is a blatant and corrupt scam because TEST's contract is explicit that the responsibility to mow that property lies with TEST. So the city puts the kids on their payroll and sends them to TEST who then assigns the kids to do all the mowing. TEST has violated the contract each and every summer since it was approved 30 years ago. Peru officials are all well aware of the scam and they just turn their heads while the people of Peru continue to get ripped off. This is just one of many dirty little secrets that reveals how Peru insiders take care of each other at taxpayer expense. Cowardly aldermen will never say a word. Rocking the boat results in banishment from the club and a certain challenge come next election. So bad. So sad.
Total payroll may be down but looking at this from the outside in contrast to your looking from the inside you may be right. But to the average person out here, we think there are more salaried positions inside city hall that have been created in contrast to the dimishing actual work force keeping the city running. I see areas of his town that are totally unkept in contrast to the Baker era when the entire city was maintained better and appeared to be cleaner. Granted we did not have planters of flowers but on that aspect if volunteers had not stepped forth, the city would not have those either.
And where in the world did you get your information that Peru is better than anywhere else in the state? That is nonsense and I bet you know that too. Latest reports are that Champaign is the one of the fastest growing cities in Illinois. Also Chicago Heights and Melrose Park.
2:32 Dora Ali. That statement is a fact. I can also tell you that last year we only had 21 young workers on our summer program. That's an increase of 11 this year and that's a fact!
I took a look at the new mega warehouse Peru is building up on Plank Road. OMG! This is larger than anything the County has or the City of Ottawa has! Come to think about it... I'm willing to wager that the City of Peru has more vehicles than the County and Ottawa combined!
smart to use kids to do the weed eating etc. at minimum wage. summer payroll is down 43% in last 3 years according to what I was told a few months ago by very reliable source who works with city finances. it is not number of employees it is hours worked folks. Raise our taxes and hire some full timers making tons more money to cut weeds. That would not be very smart. Propaganda from a bunch of losers who hate Peru. All this is verifiable but don't ask if you don't want the real answers. Small group would rather put ouy totally false information.
The Governor is trying to get Illinois finances back in order. Finances that were kicked down the road for years. Well now, the rubber meets the road. There is no more kicking the pension deficits and unbalanced budgets down the road. Just like you and I have Family budgets to live within our means, the government needs to do the same. Unfortunately, programs that were funded before, but probably should not have been, are going to have to be cut. Joba are going to have to be cut. The state will actually need to be run like a business. Madigan says he sent the Governor a budget, but the Governor vetoed it. Yes, that is exactly what is going to happen if it is another budget that spends more than it takes in. I am sure Mr. Skoog will do his best to be his own person, but I have already learned from his mailings that he is following the Madison line. Unfortunately, Madison will never lose his elections, but districts in Chicago collar counties and downstate districts need to vote out the Democratic party in order to defeat Madigan and get our state back for all Illinois, not just the northeast corner of the state. Then, schools won't have to plan on having to take out bonds to operate until the state gets its finances in line.
359 If I hear one more idiot say a state has to be run like a business I am going to explode. Business provides goods and services for PROFIT. Govt facilitates that, but is supposed to spend for the common good every dime it takes in and mainatin a low emergency reserve. How can we decide what to spend it on. Ask you, the bastion of common sense? No, it gets voted on. Sometimes it even has to borrow money to provide for the general welfare. Like a business has to borrow for infrastructure and working capital. You cant fund programs that are not sustainable but you cant just ignore constitutionally protected programs that were previously voted for. You have no idea what Rauner has done. Zero. Fighting eighteously against the entrenched moron Madigan does not mean blowing up our state. Jim Edgar worked with the legislature for years. Rauner is another example of an extreme, inexperienced businessman who spouts populist anger to get in and generally is uncompromising and leaves things worse than when he came in. Until an independent with brains gets in there and uses tactics that actually provide some compromise we are doomed to this right left idiotic partisan fighting.
9:51 you are way off base. 31 kids to weed eat. Are you kidding? They never weed eated before whey now? Summer payroll down 43% when we added 11 more to last years crew?
You can get the answer easily and should get a response quickly. FOIA total payroll for the last 2 years. Every city employee's salary is public record.
741 why don't you have the guts to go down and confirm as it must all be public record payroll is down or is it you just can't handle the truth. more workers way less hours worked not rocket science. for the record i have confirmed this why wont you are you afraid btw all the summer help kids are not just cutting weeds there is lots of other summer projetcs
You are saying we hired more kids but each is working less hours so all are part timers. But that still means more people to supervise with less full time city employees to do that and just as much work or more when it comes to figure out jobs for that many kids to do and at a time when we actually hire out professionals to take care of many of our parks. Sorry this makes no sense but I am thinking making sense is not part of the process but getting more votes is. Do you disagree with me?
8:01 I have confirmed my statements and I have the paper work to back up my responses - do you? Figure it out yourself (i.e.) say last year we hired 10 people and allowed them to work 40 hours/week @ $8/hour. Now this year we hire 20 people but only allow them to work 20 hours/week @ $8/hour. Is there any difference? Have we saved money? According to your comment we have. Cutting hours but increasing personnel makes no sense and no difference. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.
The bigger question is whether or not the work needs to be done. I see the city doing a lot of "busy" work just to give people a paycheck. Then sometimes - not often but sometimes - work that is necessary and requires skilled labor goes undone because we used up the money to pay kids to ride around town on 4-wheelers.
What some of you people are talikg about is called "accountability" in hiring and "accountability" in supervising workers. What some of you don't seem to understand is that the city of Peru has no desire and no intention whatsoever in demandiong "accountability" of any summer help employeee, part-time employee, intern employee, full-time employee, elected official, appointed official, or anybody else receiving a taxpayer funded paycheck. It's not about "accountability" it's all about "patronage, connections and special relationships with insiders". That's all! As long as they get theirs it's all good!
Just for the record, Gary has planned to "retire" for some time and the transition has planned for. Whatever you are trying to say by "it is getting too crowded" makes no sense. Also, please provide evidence from the article above or any other source that Peru is "losing jobs." The county is. Illinois is. Peru is actually one of the few places that is not, but you hate that don't you?
Here is law. Most governments choose to post all employees.
Illinois Compiled Statutes
(5 ILCS 120/7.3) Sec. 7.3. Duty to post information pertaining to benefits offered through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. (a) Within 6 business days after an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves a budget, that employer must post on its website the total compensation package for each employee having a total compensation package that exceeds $75,000 per year. If the employer does not maintain a website, the employer must post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer. If an employer maintains a website, it may choose to post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer in lieu of posting the information directly on the website; however, the employer must post directions on the website on how to access that information. (b) At least 6 days before an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves an employee's total compensation package that is equal to or in excess of $150,000 per year, the employer must post on its website the total compensation package for that employee. If the employer does not maintain a website, the employer shall post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer. If an employer maintains a website, it may choose to post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer in lieu of posting the information directly on the website; however, the employer must post directions on the website on how to access that information. (c) For the purposes of this Section, "total compensation package" means payment by the employer to the employee for salary, health insurance, a housing allowance, a vehicle allowance, a clothing allowance, bonuses, loans, vacation days granted, and sick days granted. (Source: P.A. 97-609, eff. 1-1-12.)
The Hylla resignation is just another dishonest scam perpetrated by the Harlm cabal. Hylla never intended on running for another term and his resignation from office allows Harl and the rubber-stamp aldermen to appoint a replacement to fulfill the remainder of Hylla's term. You can bet your life savings Hylla's replacement has already been chosen and is preparing to take office in very soon. This phony appointmee will be an insider with existing connections. The new treasurer may or may not have any real financial qualifications but City Treasurer in Peru has always been a "pretend position" anyway reserved for a political ally of the sitting mayor. Harl appointed Hylla when the ultimate phony Jack O'Beirne ran unapposed for Treasurer alongside Baker in 2009 because O'Beirne wanted to increase his monthly paycheck from Peru taxpayers for doing nothing. When Harl beat Baker the cowardly O'Beirne resigned in disgrace as Treasurer before even taking office office because he couldn't count to ten without taking his shoes off. Hylla's resignation is totally predictable and expected. In fact, as a parting gift Hylla was probably allowed to choose his successor. This situation is just another politically rigged scam to ensure that no "outsiders" ever be allowed to infiltrate the insider offices at 4th & Fulton. Hylla's appointed replacement will have six to eight months in office to get an occasional mention in the local Fish-Wrapper in order to establish him or herself and it is highly unlikely that anybody will challenge for that office come April of 2017. That is exactly how the scam is meant to play out. If Harl and his knucklehead minions weren't so blantantly obvious in their political schemes and scams it might be a challenge to predict their next move. I could see this one coming a mile away.
With another bank robbery occurring in Peru is it time for citizens to be concerned that we do not have a full time police chief? Is it also time for the mayor to realize that maybe a police chief/administrator position is not the answer for our town?
7:36 AM, I think you are correct. The Hylla resignation is another assalt on the honest people of Peru. What the hell would Hylla need to resign for with less than a year left on his term. He can stay home every day and have his city check mailed to the house if he doesn't want to show up. Shame on Gary Hylla for allowing Harl to appoint yet another city official into the good ol' boys club of Peru's phoniest.
7:36 You seem to want the treasures job why don't you send a letter to the Mayor and all the Alderman. That way you can be sure that if you are qualified The council will at least take a look. Unless you are not and you are just a hater.
Also read the disbursements and look who asked for their money back from the Pool fund?? Interesting
There is a standard operating procedure in Illinois politics. When you are finished serving, you don't simply wait until the next election and decide not to run. You get reelected and then quit half way through. That way, you and your "boss" can appoint your replacement and maintain the status quo. The appointed replacement can then run as an incumbent and be reelected. It is a fact in Illinois that greater than 75% of incumbents get reelected in Illinois. This is not restrained to a particular political party. Look at Sue Rezin. And my money is on Andy Skoog to be elected. So, if Mr. Hylla wants to retire, it makes sense that he does so and allow his "Boss" to hire a replacement instead of putting the position up for grabs in an election.... After all, the last people that need to be involved in this process is the voters. Just need to keep them pacified with fireworks and beer tents.
Now.... there is a certain lawyer that keeps giving the "Boss" large donations.... that certain lawyer is related to a CPA..... hmmmmmmm...????
1127 I also heard Jeff Whittington's retired was abrupt and that a girl from the city clerk's office left abruptly. Anyone have info on these situations?
948 your comment is an insult to every hard working policeman on their department. How ridiculous of a statement. Lost of craziness on this blog. how many drug arrests by their drug unit so far this year? from what i was told it is more than the entire task force of 9 departments. The chief and all the officers are the best around. What a joke. PPD continue to keep us safe, Don't worry about a handful of naysayers and Peru haters.
12:49 Part-time employees? Really? Your conspiracy is about part-time summer help leaving the city workforce? What's next? The assistant Little League coach?
2:00 PM, June 01, 2016 - police are not here to keep individuals safe. They provide deterrence and investigate and arrest after the fact. The only one you can count on to keep yourself safe is you. This is not a slam on the police - it is a fact of life that they cannot guard every individual from every criminal. You must do this for yourself and your family.
2:00 Nobody criticized or insulted anyone and nobody said our police force was not top notch. What was said is that maybe, just maybe, with all the drug users and dealers and robberies that seem to be happening, it would be best if we had a full time police chief. Why take a simple question and turn it into an ugly falsehood?
I did not think that is what they meant by there post, think it was a pat on the back to the PPD for keeping up the good work they all do. It was the way the mayor is ruuning this town.
Lies, lies, lies. Hylla had planned on retiring some time ago, as had Mr. Whittington, whose wife is also very ill. I said this earlier and of course we need to block the truth from being posted, since I did not find a way to criticize our local government officials. If some of you people would actually TALK to the people involved instead of saying what you HEARD, that would help considerably. STOP LYING.
3:23 What conspiracy are you talking about and what part-timers are you talking about? Some people just have to take everything posted, twist the words around, and make a mountain out of a mole hill.
The Hylla retirement is is a scam, plain and simple. Hylla is entitled to retire. He could have retired after his term is up in less than one year. He and the wife can "travel" all they want in the next ten months retired or not. This situation is classic corrupt political maneuvering to appoint a new member to the club who will do as told when necessary. Hylla is complicit in the corruption by playing along with the scam. Harl's comments in the paper reveal an urgency to "appoint a replacement" with absolutley no notice to the public who might be interested in applying for the appointment. Amazing how fast government can work when corruption is the driving force. Big hurry to retire. Big hurry to appoint a replacement without advertising for a qualified and honest replacement for Hylla. There's that word again, HONEST. Honesty is not the quality Peru looks for. It will be interesting to see who Bernabei tells Harl and the rubber-stampers to appoint city treasurer. They have become so bold and brazen with their corrupt hiring and appointing that I think this appointment has the potential to hit a new low for Peru. Can't wait to see how this scam plays out. We won't have to wait long. Hurry up. "We must appoint!"
They already know who the replacement will be. If you want to "apply" you have to run against the juiced in incumbent. To be honest, the last thing that this council and mayor want is an independent check on the finances.
The only difference between this and Mautino's new gig is the scale.
12:49 6/1/16 A girl or a woman left the city clerk's office? Was it a summer hire or a full timer?
7:25 6/2/16 I agree with you and have to ask why did the mayor not ask for people to send in applications to be appointed to the treasurer's position at the council meeting when they accepted Hylla's resignation? Because he already knows who he will appoint. I wonder if it will be Bernie's special friend?? A little more padding to her paycheck.
8:48 6/2/16 Yes of course you can request your $10 donation back. All you need to do is contact the city clerk and request it.
You are absolutely correct 9:58 AM. The big hurry to appoint the "juiced in" second string city treasurer is proof that the priority here is to be sure that Hylla's replacement is someone who does not possess any undesireable traits like honesty, integrity. The new city treasurer must have no spine and an inability to differentiate between right and wrong. An "independent check" on Peru's finances from an uncorrupted honest Peru official would be most inconvenient and embarrassing for the phonies at 4th & Fulton. It is entertaining when Harl attempts to speak intelligently. His awkward and lame attmepts to disguise the truth behind the corruption are kind of sad and actually makes you feel sorry for him.
Oh you mean because they will appoint a new person to continue to the big cover up of all of the shady financial deals? All of the corruption? Really? Are you freaking nuts?
There are no secrets in the city finances. Hylla did an excellent job. No scam. Huge improvements from the Baker era when there really was not a treasurer. Everything is audited by an outside agency. You can read it all.
No scams. No secrets. Just a couple of really sad and hateful people on a blog. Or PLEEEEEAAAASE provide one bit of proof of the scandal that will someday unfold. Please. No more vague accusations.
8:48 If you take back your donation you would be scamming the Peru taxpayer. Did you put a donation in the church coffers and ask for that back? And did you write that off on your taxes?
10:43 What are you talking about, you know absolutely nothing about how the city finances work. EVERY YEAR THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT DONE BY AN OUTSIDE FIRM, get off your hating butt and go down and get a copy from the clerks office,it may be over your head and you may have to get someone to explain it to you. The city has an Licensed CPA are you calling him corrupt? Get a clue, Mr. Hylla did a job when no one wanted it and then was reelected.
If you are a true supporter you will take your 10 dollars and place that in a interest bearing account. And I might add that there is no such thing as a interest bearing account. I have been informed that the pool fund has a interest bearing account and the more money in that account, the higher the fund will go. If your taking your 10 dollars out because you need that money, we support you. You may need to detail your chick magnet vehicle or shop for groceries. I do feel for those ladies who have worked hard on donations and your spite serves no purpose.
11:30 AM, June 02, 2016. the independent audit only checks to be sure they follow acceptable accounting standards. It does not check for wasteful spending. It does not check to see if vendors are related to employees. It does not check for false overtime. It does not check the vendor list against the donation list. It does not check the prices of purchased commodities. It does not check the requirement for the largest public works building in the Tri-County area. All it does is make sure the numbers in the column add up correctly and that nobody transferred money directly to themselves.
I am betting that City Hall thought you were all sleeping and not paying any attention to what they were doing. Nice to know that you are probably quietly waiting while they continue on their self interest path.
12:46 It is not the job of an audit to root conspiracy theories. You are right they don't look for those things, however they do question spends in areas that they are unsure about. Why are you complaining about the public works building being the largest in the TRI county area? Should we have asked other communities if this was too big? I would think they have room to handle any future growth, unless you don't want Peru to grow? Again bring on the stupid comments that everyone will say, insider cheerleader connected. That's ok i am happy to see Dollar General come to town and the new building for the city employee's
11:16 AM and 11:30 AM, Why so sensitive? The audits you refer to have are not intended to expose wrongdoing by public officials. They are superficial in nature and only confirm that basic accounting principals are being employed by the city. Any misappropriation of funds or other illegal activities are easily disguised by dishonest public officials. Do you think illegal or even questionable financial actions by corrupt city officials are easily found by annual audits? If so, I have some swamp-land to sell you. The city of Dixon was being audited by an "independent firm" each and every year Rita Crundwell was amassing her fortune with taxpayer funds. For the record, I do not believe any Peru official is stealing funds as was the case in Dixon, IL. I do however believe that Peru officials are dishonest in how they portray the financial condition of Peru. I also believe they do so knowing it is at least unethical if not illegal. Home Rule is to blame for much of the shenanigans and money movement between funds that is improper if not illegal and happening regularly in Peru government. That is one of the reasons they will replace Hylla asap before anyone with real qualifications and ethics comes forward to inquire about the appointment. The hurry-up to appoint a replacement for Hylla is the indicator to me that they have something to hide. You don't have to call it a "conspiracy theory" becuase I already have.
12:28 I too feel for those ladies who have devoted so much time and energy to a cause that will never happen with the current administration. Reality is that this administration won't even match the $1000 it took the ladies 2 months of hard work to accumulate. If they won't even match the small amounts the ladies work for what makes these ladies think administration will foot the bill for the maintenance and running of a pool?
lois you are one for the ages. You apparently have lived a perfect life. Congratulations on being so perfect. people are attacked by nameless wonders on your blog get to spew hatred all because of you and you alone. You are creating your legacy. Now lets see if you keep refusing to post things that hit a nerve. You know when you grow older in life people often wish they had done differently. Every time I see you at mass I say a prayer.
1:21 PM, June 02, 2016 - We need to minimize the size of government. Including the size of government buildings. Almost everything that Peru Public Works does can be handed more efficiently and at less cost by an outside contractor.
Rah! Rah! Peru is Great! Peru has the most Trucks out of the Gate! Rah! Rah! Peru is Great! No Pool for you because we need more trucks! Trucks and cars and things to drive! That is how Peru will thrive! Rah! Rah! Peru is Great!
2:23 PM, June 02, 2016 - just look at the expenditure. They buy things "local" without negotiating a better price all the time. I remember a couple of years ago they where paying about $20 for high visibility T-Shirts for workers that can easily have been purchased for $5 on line - same exact T-Shirts with the same exact logo, etc. This is how Peru is corrupt. They let local vendors charge above market prices for goods and services. That includes all the IT work. If they actually bid it out to companies outside of the local area, they could save considerably.
Then... when they do get something from outside the area... say a number of large electric transformers or perhaps electrical transmission line.... there is a small donation from that out of state vendor that magically shows up in a campaign fund.
A Alderman will be taking the post and that will allow Harl to free up that spot for his former campaign chair and get rid of the pain in the butt Sr. Alderman.
to 2:03 PM, Thank you for being one of those "nameless wonders spewing hatred". I particularly like your "Holyer than Thou" comment. You can save your prayers for yourself becuase you are no better than anybody else who comments on this blog anonomously. Including me. You clearly suffer from the Peru Syndrome of considering yourself "better" than others. News Flash to 2:03 PM. You are not!
Is the position of Treasurer open to the general public? Is it being advertised anywhere? Are they accepting applications? Is there a dead line for turning in said applications? If so, where has it been posted and what time and date is it?
Do you think everyone at city hall is on the take? Your post brings up the Mayor Harl campaign contributions. Nothing more. And all legal. Are there any other officials with campaign war chests? Those who are involved in purchasing products? You have proved one point and that is that Mayor Harl has a golf outing and campaign funds. You have proved nothing illegal. I agree that its questionable that a small town Mayor has a campaign fund. Nothing illegal. There has been many posts about illegal activity and nothing has come of it. There has suggestions that the FBI has been in town to investigate the Mayor, and again nothing has come of it. It's about time to stop these conspiracy posts. If you want to run for office or support a buddy, relative for office bring us your qualifications not your conspiracy.
12:46 PM, June 03, 2016 - I am of the opinion that most small town employees are "on the take" in one way or another. Why would they settle for low pay? They compensate in other ways....
not just local. It is an accepted practice in Illinois for people that work in government to find some sort of SCAM to make extra money off the taxpayers. This has been going on since the 1800's and there is no end in sight. The skim is factored in all the budgets. I'd say they loose close to 10% to corruption right off the bat. Then there are the really greedy ones. They are the ones that actually get caught. As long as they keep it low profile... an overtime hour here, a free tank of gas there... nobody cares. In fact, I bet it is encouraged. At least it is from "Happy".
A comment was made earlier about the handling of the robbery. I would like to know why the Red Code phone system was not used for any of these robberies. Can it only be used for weather? or abductions? Seems to me like more people would have been on the "look out" had we been informed. It's so sad to know that unless you have access to facebook earlier in the day, you are totally out of the loop about a dangerous person, maybe with a gun, running around town. People don't listen to the radio anymore. It's too late to see it in the paper. It was my impression that any public safety issue could be shared on this alert system. Yes? No?
7:04 PM, June 03, 2016 - "they" decided to purchase the most basic package with the reverse 911 system. They have maybe one free test a year, after that every time they use it, it costs something like $1,000. If they use it for public safety, it impacts the "public safety vehicle" plan, and the "public safety complex" plan. Remember, Peru is all about buying trucks, cars, and buildings - not public service.
7:04 June 3rd: I thought the same thing. Also, if you've been keeping informed on this situation there has been 2 different descriptions of the suspect. The one in our local paper has him/her wearing a black ski mask all though none of the pictures show that. The "wanted poster" put out by the FBI has him wearing a plastic mask and blonde wig (which goes along with the pictures from the surveillance camera). I'm confused!
12:18. I agree. We seem to have quite a few bank robberies lately and they are all getting away. I don't think their current plan is working. Maybe if the public knew immediately, we could watch for something unusual.
We need constant video surveillance within the six block vicinity of all banks. It would also help if all "local" cars had GPS tracking devices installed in them. That technology would allow police to interrogate vehicles to see if they are "outsiders." Any identified "outsider vehicles" can be given extra attention as they drive through town. Bank customers should also be REQUIRED to be buzzed in to the lobby after providing fingerprints via a biometric scanner and submit to a photograph with hats and or hoods removed.
People that enter a bank should automatically be viewed with some sort of suspicion. After all, what purpose does that average person have for actually entering a bank in this day and age?
you are right. there are very few transactions that require a physical presence in the bank. Banks don't need a lobby anymore. A secure facility for transferring cash for businesses should be separated from the consumer section that is mostly paperwork. The cash facility should require prearranged appointments with known individuals. These businesses should be encouraged to shift their customers to using electronic transactions.
The Consumer section - a different facility - would be nothing but an office. If a consumer wants cash, they go to the ATM machine.
2:33, what kind of idiot are you, we have enough of big brother looking over our shoulder now. We are supposed to be living in a free society, but big government is whittling that away. In the old days banks would have a guard on staff, lets get back to good old fashion ideas, cops on a beat wouldn't hurt either. They could walk the SPR area, the 4th street area, the northern areas on bikes etc.
11:45 what price do you put on the safety of a child. That band was walking distance from a SCHOOL! We need to consider safety first. If you are not a criminal you won't mind that type of surveillance. It is for the CHILDREN!
2:19 The check was not taken. It was returned. The donor was running for office and promised to give $1000.00 to the pool if he was elected. After not being re-elected the money was requested and sent back to the donor. Nothing sinister. He didn't request any interest to be paid on the donation.
8:57 Electronic transaction are the biggest crime being committed in today's world.
11:45 Cops on bikes or on the beat would solve bank robberies? What century are we living in? Criminals drive cars. Walk 4th street? Where would they patrol? John's place? Please get a grip.
1:51 School security is about as safe as you can get. Robbers going into a school wouldn't be able to unlock the door. Please no more about the safety of our schools. Why is everything about the children? Some dude robbed a bank, why does the safety of kids come up in every conversation?
1:51 Have you ever been in a school? That is like Fort Knox, its safe and secure from most problems. You don't rob a school.
2:33 We don't need to track everybody's GPS. How stupid do you sound? And then we could monitor your food intake, your entertainment schedule and give you the monthly check. Talk about government control. Were becoming robots.
After reading many of these post, I have summarized that earthlings should not be saved.
12:17, nobody gets shot when electronic funds are stolen. We also need armed security guards in schools, preferably with AR-15's readily available incase things go south. At a minimum they the guards should carry pistols with them at all times. If there are teachers willing to get the appropriate training, they should be packing also.
When was the last bank robbery that someone was shot? The fascination with having bigger guns is insane. We all think like the world's a 30 minute sitcom and the good guy with the gun always wins. Most shootings are done by deranged people that by the element of surprise wreck havoc on the intended site. Having a automatic rifle at a school site or bank won't deter problems. Anyway, why should anybody not in law enforcement have a AK47? Please don't try to tell me about the 2nd amendment rights being taken away.
An AR-15 is not an automatic weapon. It is a Self Loading modern rifle and the most popular sporting arm in the United States. It fires a 22 caliber projectile and has a black plastic stock. They are a good defensive tool as well as a good rifle for hunting deer as well as other game. It is not a very big gun - in fact the projectile is rather small. Compared to the M-1 Garand 30 Caliber Rifle, the AR-15 is week. I own both. Several AR-15's in fact. I like the AR platform for its light weight and the light weight of the ammunition. But, the Garand Rifle is a true Battle implement. In fact, it was called the greatest battle implement ever devised by General Patton. Soldiers of the time would consider the AR-15 week and ineffective.
Eugene Stoner - inventor of the AR (Armalite Rifle) platform and John C. Garand - inventor of the Cal. 30, M-1 Rifle and John M. Browning a genius in firearms design. Three of the greatest Americans of all time!
Many of us would have different heroes and not many would call the rifle makers the greatest Americans of all time. Very few of us blame those inventors for the violence across our country. Many of us also believe that every American is not entitled or be allowed to have a firearm. Come halfway NRA and have some common sense.
Three of the greatest Americans? Because they designed a gun style that you like? I like the Ford Mustang, but I would not call the designer "one of the greatest Americans of all time." I think you need a serious history lesson if you consider three different gun designers among the greatest Americans.
You are the same dude that spews that same gun crap over and over. You like guns. We get it.
9:07 AM, June 09, 2016 - already have some "common sense." If you are a convicted felon or adjudicated mentally incompetent, you cannot own a gun. In the state of Illinois, you need to pass a background check to even hold a gun at a store - it is called the FOID card. Then you have to pass a background check to actually purchase it. Even if you purchase it from a relative or friend, you need to submit FOID card check via the Illinois State Police. The NRA and the American People have come more than half way. And based on the sales for the last 5 to 10 years, I think most people agree that there is nothing wrong with every law abiding American owning a firearm.
I forgot to mention some other Great American's - Mr. Smith, Mr. Wesson, and Col. Colt.
"God made some men big and others small, but Samuel Colt made them equal"
all you have to do is look at picture of both cartridges and you would understand. Then watch a video of someone shooting a cinder block wall with both rifles.
the AR is much lighter than the M-1. That is worth something. But, nothing like a classic M-1. It is worth having in your personal defense portfolio. But like they say, the best gun to have in a fight is the one that you have with you. Like cell phones, smaller can be better.
6:51 has a "personal defense portfolio". Of course you do. I hate to tell you that your little fantasy of getting to shoot it out with someone at the OK corral will not end well for you legally. There are very few cases that you have a right to shoot someone, including when they walk in your house. Please don't spout the law to me, as I already know what it is.
My point is that normal people don't speak regularly about getting into gun fights. Including people like me, who I hate to tell you am a gun owner and enjoy shooting from time to time. Most of us do that quietly, but people who have to tell everyone and show pictures of themselves doing it are just a little off. Sorry dude. Just try being a little cool about it, instead of showing people you are just a little off your rocker.
who said anything like that? All I'm saying is that both the AR-15 and the M-1 have different attributes. The M-1 being big and heavy, but much more effective projectile. The AR-15 being light with a weaker cartridge that can be overcome with the ability to carry more. But, if you have actually studied the subject, you know this already.
Not once did anyone say anything about getting in a gun fight.
And, yes. Everyone should have a "defensive portfolio." Be it a legally carried pistol, or just car keys and a cell phone. In most situations, you are your first responder.
108 comments:
The entire state of Illinois is increasing vulnerable to the increasing number of jobs leaving the state and rising unemployment. This needs to be handled at the state level as it seems doubtful that any one city can offer enough incentives to lure industry or any business into their city. While Peru loves sales tax for that reason it will not continue to be the golden goose that we now have. Talking to a local resident yesterday and about Peru and he laughed when he jokingly said something about Peru being thought a "shopping mecca". He was right because the recent businesses that have dome to Peru will bring in specific buyers but not the shoppers who shop just to be shopping and much of that is increasingly being purchased on line.
Because of our car dealerships, motels and a few stores like Walmart, we won't suffer as much as smaller cities but that will not fix the unemployment. How much is Peru looking ahead with a plan in place and how much belt tightening do they need to do? Until the state of Illinois gets their act together. Where do you see waste if any?
ty rauner for ruining illinois
11:55 am
Why don't you blame the right people like Madigan and his cohorts? They are the ones putting the state in a deeper hole with their excessive spenging wishes? No one should be Speaker for 30 years. NO ONE.
Thank you Gov. Rauner for trying to do something about this. We need to put the blame where is belongs - with King Madigan and his Chicago Cabal.
Also note the high unemployment rate in LaSalle County. This is due to an organized effort to prevent any kind of industrial development. Thank you Corn Dog Cabal and Starved Rock Country flunkeys.
Well, Peru has the shopping. They also have most of the major employers. I don't understand the thought that Peru is only worried about shopping? Lets be honest. Peru is a small grain when it comes to jobs in Illinois. Peru has great property tax and utility prices and TIFS. What really will help is the state reform. And then Federal involvement with bringing jobs back.
We can all blame Peru for not locating those big employers and losing Westclox. Peru has done very well considering the economic perils of Illinois. Complaining about Peru having all the retail is like complaining about temperature that's always 72 degrees.
11:55 People like you are the reason Illinois is in such bad shape. Rauner is not ruining Illinois. He's trying to fix the mess that was handed to him. He's trying to make us live within our means. But, people like you think instead of living within our means let's keep spending and when we run out of money we'll find somewhere, somehow, someway to tax the citizens of our mighty state.
agree 1155 one term gov
If you think our payroll is way down think again. We have recently employed 32 young summer workers and 8 adult summer workers. Considering we have hired out the grass cutting, landscaping, and tree trimming what will these 40 employees do all summer long? 4 will work for TEST which I don't understand. Why would we pay 4 individuals to work for a company that we employ? 7 will work at the cemetery. What needs to be done there besides grass cutting and trimming? 7 will work at the parks which will require what? Raking care of the ball diamonds? I don't think we had this many youngsters on our payroll when the pool was up and running.
I don't think we had this many youngsters on our payroll when the pool was up and running.http://goo.gl/coZqdE
8:57 total payroll is down and it is significant.
For people who like to blame one party, you have been seduced into party politics. We need term limits and I agree that Madigan needs to go, but the pension problems started under Republican governors. Let's hold them all accountable and stop with the silly party talk.
As for Peru in the original post, I am pretty sure Peru is NOT losing jobs as a city. Of course we WANT the higher paying jobs, but it is laughable that people think "city leaders" can just go out and grab these jobs. They want nothing more but like very other city they are fighting a huge uphill battle. All jobs are good jobs, but of course we need more great jobs! To be fair, Peru does an excellent job at working toward this end and has had some success doing so, and far more than anyone in the Illinois Valley and actually far more success than anywhere else in the state.
It is also nice to see some homes being built. It's not all doom and gloom here, but we need to keep working and stay positive. We have low taxes and the excellent school system is one of our greatest strengths. I think a bright future lies ahead!
8:57 its all about the votes
8:57 PM, You make good points. The primary purpose of the summer program is to provide patronage jobs for chosen kids and adults in return for political loyalty and votes for current elected officials who like to take credit for hiring the seasonal help. Another well known scam that TEST has been allowed to get away with for many years involves having several kids assigned to TEST for the express purpose of mowing the grass at the water treatment facilities. This is a blatant and corrupt scam because TEST's contract is explicit that the responsibility to mow that property lies with TEST. So the city puts the kids on their payroll and sends them to TEST who then assigns the kids to do all the mowing. TEST has violated the contract each and every summer since it was approved 30 years ago. Peru officials are all well aware of the scam and they just turn their heads while the people of Peru continue to get ripped off. This is just one of many dirty little secrets that reveals how Peru insiders take care of each other at taxpayer expense. Cowardly aldermen will never say a word. Rocking the boat results in banishment from the club and a certain challenge come next election. So bad. So sad.
5:36 AM
Total payroll may be down but looking at this from the outside in contrast to your looking from the inside you may be right. But to the average person out here, we think there are more salaried positions inside city hall that have been created in contrast to the dimishing actual work force keeping the city running. I see areas of his town that are totally unkept in contrast to the Baker era when the entire city was maintained better and appeared to be cleaner. Granted we did not have planters of flowers but on that aspect if volunteers had not stepped forth, the city would not have those either.
And where in the world did you get your information that Peru is better than anywhere else in the state? That is nonsense and I bet you know that too. Latest reports are that Champaign is the one of the fastest growing cities in Illinois. Also Chicago Heights and Melrose Park.
2:32 Dora Ali. That statement is a fact. I can also tell you that last year we only had 21 young workers on our summer program. That's an increase of 11 this year and that's a fact!
I took a look at the new mega warehouse Peru is building up on Plank Road. OMG! This is larger than anything the County has or the City of Ottawa has! Come to think about it... I'm willing to wager that the City of Peru has more vehicles than the County and Ottawa combined!
smart to use kids to do the weed eating etc. at minimum wage. summer payroll is down 43% in last 3 years according to what I was told a few months ago by very reliable source who works with city finances. it is not number of employees it is hours worked folks. Raise our taxes and hire some full timers making tons more money to cut weeds. That would not be very smart. Propaganda from a bunch of losers who hate Peru. All this is verifiable but don't ask if you don't want the real answers. Small group would rather put ouy totally false information.
9:51 AM
you're the one with the fals info
The Governor is trying to get Illinois finances back in order. Finances that were kicked down the road for years. Well now, the rubber meets the road. There is no more kicking the pension deficits and unbalanced budgets down the road. Just like you and I have Family budgets to live within our means, the government needs to do the same. Unfortunately, programs that were funded before, but probably should not have been, are going to have to be cut. Joba are going to have to be cut. The state will actually need to be run like a business. Madigan says he sent the Governor a budget, but the Governor vetoed it. Yes, that is exactly what is going to happen if it is another budget that spends more than it takes in. I am sure Mr. Skoog will do his best to be his own person, but I have already learned from his mailings that he is following the Madison line. Unfortunately, Madison will never lose his elections, but districts in Chicago collar counties and downstate districts need to vote out the Democratic party in order to defeat Madigan and get our state back for all Illinois, not just the northeast corner of the state. Then, schools won't have to plan on having to take out bonds to operate until the state gets its finances in line.
359 If I hear one more idiot say a state has to be run like a business I am going to explode. Business provides goods and services for PROFIT. Govt facilitates that, but is supposed to spend for the common good every dime it takes in and mainatin a low emergency reserve. How can we decide what to spend it on. Ask you, the bastion of common sense? No, it gets voted on.
Sometimes it even has to borrow money to provide for the general welfare. Like a business has to borrow for infrastructure and working capital. You cant fund programs that are not sustainable but you cant just ignore constitutionally protected programs that were previously voted for.
You have no idea what Rauner has done. Zero. Fighting eighteously against the entrenched moron Madigan does not mean blowing up our state. Jim Edgar worked with the legislature for years. Rauner is another example of an extreme, inexperienced businessman who spouts populist anger to get in and generally is uncompromising and leaves things worse than when he came in.
Until an independent with brains gets in there and uses tactics that actually provide some compromise we are doomed to this right left idiotic partisan fighting.
9:51 you are way off base. 31 kids to weed eat. Are you kidding? They never weed eated before whey now? Summer payroll down 43% when we added 11 more to last years crew?
You can get the answer easily and should get a response quickly. FOIA total payroll for the last 2 years. Every city employee's salary is public record.
rauner has done nothing zero Zip
741 why don't you have the guts to go down and confirm as it must all be public record payroll is down or is it you just can't handle the truth. more workers way less hours worked not rocket science. for the record i have confirmed this why wont you are you afraid btw all the summer help kids are not just cutting weeds there is lots of other summer projetcs
8:01 AM
You are saying we hired more kids but each is working less hours so all are part timers. But that still means more people to supervise with less full time city employees to do that and just as much work or more when it comes to figure out jobs for that many kids to do and at a time when we actually hire out professionals to take care of many of our parks. Sorry this makes no sense but I am thinking making sense is not part of the process but getting more votes is. Do you disagree with me?
8:01 I have confirmed my statements and I have the paper work to back up my responses - do you? Figure it out yourself (i.e.) say last year we hired 10 people and allowed them to work 40 hours/week @ $8/hour. Now this year we hire 20 people but only allow them to work 20 hours/week @ $8/hour. Is there any difference? Have we saved money? According to your comment we have. Cutting hours but increasing personnel makes no sense and no difference. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.
The bigger question is whether or not the work needs to be done. I see the city doing a lot of "busy" work just to give people a paycheck. Then sometimes - not often but sometimes - work that is necessary and requires skilled labor goes undone because we used up the money to pay kids to ride around town on 4-wheelers.
It sounds like Mr. Mautino's troubles are worsening. Something about influencing hires at the Ottawa office of IDOT.
What some of you people are talikg about is called "accountability" in hiring and "accountability" in supervising workers. What some of you don't seem to understand is that the city of Peru has no desire and no intention whatsoever in demandiong "accountability" of any summer help employeee, part-time employee, intern employee, full-time employee, elected official, appointed official, or anybody else receiving a taxpayer funded paycheck. It's not about "accountability" it's all about "patronage, connections and special relationships with insiders". That's all! As long as they get theirs it's all good!
AMEN 2:00 You hit the nail on the head. There is no "accountability".
Not only is Peru losing jobs they are also losing their elected City Treasurer, Gary Hylla.
Current elected Peru Treasurer Gary Hylla submitted his resignation via public letter at the City Council meeting, Tuesday evening.
I guess it is getting rather crowded at City Hall.
I would like to thank Gary for the excellent job he did for the city and wish him well.
The above news was announced by the N.T. Tuesday evening.
Just for the record, Gary has planned to "retire" for some time and the transition has planned for. Whatever you are trying to say by "it is getting too crowded" makes no sense. Also, please provide evidence from the article above or any other source that Peru is "losing jobs." The county is. Illinois is. Peru is actually one of the few places that is not, but you hate that don't you?
Actually 10:53, every public employee's wages are supposed to be posted on the city website.
Here is law. Most governments choose to post all employees.
Illinois Compiled Statutes
(5 ILCS 120/7.3)
Sec. 7.3. Duty to post information pertaining to benefits offered through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
(a) Within 6 business days after an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves a budget, that employer must post on its website the total compensation package for each employee having a total compensation package that exceeds $75,000 per year. If the employer does not maintain a website, the employer must post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer. If an employer maintains a website, it may choose to post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer in lieu of posting the information directly on the website; however, the employer must post directions on the website on how to access that information.
(b) At least 6 days before an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves an employee's total compensation package that is equal to or in excess of $150,000 per year, the employer must post on its website the total compensation package for that employee. If the employer does not maintain a website, the employer shall post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer. If an employer maintains a website, it may choose to post a physical copy of this information at the principal office of the employer in lieu of posting the information directly on the website; however, the employer must post directions on the website on how to access that information.
(c) For the purposes of this Section, "total compensation package" means payment by the employer to the employee for salary, health insurance, a housing allowance, a vehicle allowance, a clothing allowance, bonuses, loans, vacation days granted, and sick days granted.
(Source: P.A. 97-609, eff. 1-1-12.)
The Hylla resignation is just another dishonest scam perpetrated by the Harlm cabal. Hylla never intended on running for another term and his resignation from office allows Harl and the rubber-stamp aldermen to appoint a replacement to fulfill the remainder of Hylla's term. You can bet your life savings Hylla's replacement has already been chosen and is preparing to take office in very soon. This phony appointmee will be an insider with existing connections. The new treasurer may or may not have any real financial qualifications but City Treasurer in Peru has always been a "pretend position" anyway reserved for a political ally of the sitting mayor. Harl appointed Hylla when the ultimate phony Jack O'Beirne ran unapposed for Treasurer alongside Baker in 2009 because O'Beirne wanted to increase his monthly paycheck from Peru taxpayers for doing nothing. When Harl beat Baker the cowardly O'Beirne resigned in disgrace as Treasurer before even taking office office because he couldn't count to ten without taking his shoes off. Hylla's resignation is totally predictable and expected. In fact, as a parting gift Hylla was probably allowed to choose his successor. This situation is just another politically rigged scam to ensure that no "outsiders" ever be allowed to infiltrate the insider offices at 4th & Fulton. Hylla's appointed replacement will have six to eight months in office to get an occasional mention in the local Fish-Wrapper in order to establish him or herself and it is highly unlikely that anybody will challenge for that office come April of 2017. That is exactly how the scam is meant to play out. If Harl and his knucklehead minions weren't so blantantly obvious in their political schemes and scams it might be a challenge to predict their next move. I could see this one coming a mile away.
With another bank robbery occurring in Peru is it time for citizens to be concerned that we do not have a full time police chief? Is it also time for the mayor to realize that maybe a police chief/administrator position is not the answer for our town?
7:36 AM, I think you are correct. The Hylla resignation is another assalt on the honest people of Peru. What the hell would Hylla need to resign for with less than a year left on his term. He can stay home every day and have his city check mailed to the house if he doesn't want to show up. Shame on Gary Hylla for allowing Harl to appoint yet another city official into the good ol' boys club of Peru's phoniest.
7:36
The word around city hall is that the resignation was abrupt.
Your continued verbal assault on Jack O'Beirne shows your true colors.
7:36
You seem to want the treasures job why don't you send a letter to the Mayor and all the Alderman. That way you can be sure that if you are qualified The council will at least take a look.
Unless you are not and you are just a hater.
Also read the disbursements and look who asked for their money back from the Pool fund??
Interesting
There is a standard operating procedure in Illinois politics. When you are finished serving, you don't simply wait until the next election and decide not to run. You get reelected and then quit half way through. That way, you and your "boss" can appoint your replacement and maintain the status quo. The appointed replacement can then run as an incumbent and be reelected. It is a fact in Illinois that greater than 75% of incumbents get reelected in Illinois. This is not restrained to a particular political party. Look at Sue Rezin. And my money is on Andy Skoog to be elected. So, if Mr. Hylla wants to retire, it makes sense that he does so and allow his "Boss" to hire a replacement instead of putting the position up for grabs in an election.... After all, the last people that need to be involved in this process is the voters. Just need to keep them pacified with fireworks and beer tents.
Now.... there is a certain lawyer that keeps giving the "Boss" large donations.... that certain lawyer is related to a CPA..... hmmmmmmm...????
1127 I also heard Jeff Whittington's retired was abrupt and that a girl from the city clerk's office left abruptly. Anyone have info on these situations?
948 your comment is an insult to every hard working policeman on their department. How ridiculous of a statement. Lost of craziness on this blog. how many drug arrests by their drug unit so far this year? from what i was told it is more than the entire task force of 9 departments. The chief and all the officers are the best around. What a joke. PPD continue to keep us safe, Don't worry about a handful of naysayers and Peru haters.
9:48 ya think so! word had it that he is looking for more jobs (money)!
12:49 Part-time employees? Really? Your conspiracy is about part-time summer help leaving the city workforce? What's next? The assistant Little League coach?
2:00 PM, June 01, 2016 - police are not here to keep individuals safe. They provide deterrence and investigate and arrest after the fact. The only one you can count on to keep yourself safe is you. This is not a slam on the police - it is a fact of life that they cannot guard every individual from every criminal. You must do this for yourself and your family.
2:00 Nobody criticized or insulted anyone and nobody said our police force was not top notch. What was said is that maybe, just maybe, with all the drug users and dealers and robberies that seem to be happening, it would be best if we had a full time police chief. Why take a simple question and turn it into an ugly falsehood?
2PM
I did not think that is what they meant by there post, think it was a pat on the back to the PPD for keeping up the good work they all do. It was the way the mayor is ruuning this town.
Lies, lies, lies. Hylla had planned on retiring some time ago, as had Mr. Whittington, whose wife is also very ill. I said this earlier and of course we need to block the truth from being posted, since I did not find a way to criticize our local government officials. If some of you people would actually TALK to the people involved instead of saying what you HEARD, that would help considerably. STOP LYING.
3:23 What conspiracy are you talking about and what part-timers are you talking about? Some people just have to take everything posted, twist the words around, and make a mountain out of a mole hill.
The Hylla retirement is is a scam, plain and simple. Hylla is entitled to retire. He could have retired after his term is up in less than one year. He and the wife can "travel" all they want in the next ten months retired or not. This situation is classic corrupt political maneuvering to appoint a new member to the club who will do as told when necessary. Hylla is complicit in the corruption by playing along with the scam. Harl's comments in the paper reveal an urgency to "appoint a replacement" with absolutley no notice to the public who might be interested in applying for the appointment. Amazing how fast government can work when corruption is the driving force. Big hurry to retire. Big hurry to appoint a replacement without advertising for a qualified and honest replacement for Hylla. There's that word again, HONEST. Honesty is not the quality Peru looks for. It will be interesting to see who Bernabei tells Harl and the rubber-stampers to appoint city treasurer. They have become so bold and brazen with their corrupt hiring and appointing that I think this appointment has the potential to hit a new low for Peru. Can't wait to see how this scam plays out. We won't have to wait long. Hurry up. "We must appoint!"
I gave the pool fund $10 back in 2013, I need the money back. How can I get the donation back from those at the city?
They already know who the replacement will be. If you want to "apply" you have to run against the juiced in incumbent. To be honest, the last thing that this council and mayor want is an independent check on the finances.
The only difference between this and Mautino's new gig is the scale.
12:49 6/1/16 A girl or a woman left the city clerk's office? Was it a summer hire or a full timer?
7:25 6/2/16 I agree with you and have to ask why did the mayor not ask for people to send in applications to be appointed to the treasurer's position at the council meeting when they accepted Hylla's resignation? Because he already knows who he will appoint. I wonder if it will be Bernie's special friend?? A little more padding to her paycheck.
8:48 6/2/16 Yes of course you can request your $10 donation back. All you need to do is contact the city clerk and request it.
You are absolutely correct 9:58 AM. The big hurry to appoint the "juiced in" second string city treasurer is proof that the priority here is to be sure that Hylla's replacement is someone who does not possess any undesireable traits like honesty, integrity. The new city treasurer must have no spine and an inability to differentiate between right and wrong. An "independent check" on Peru's finances from an uncorrupted honest Peru official would be most inconvenient and embarrassing for the phonies at 4th & Fulton.
It is entertaining when Harl attempts to speak intelligently. His awkward and lame attmepts to disguise the truth behind the corruption are kind of sad and actually makes you feel sorry for him.
Same boring drivel.
What scam? What corruption?
Oh you mean because they will appoint a new person to continue to the big cover up of all of the shady financial deals? All of the corruption? Really? Are you freaking nuts?
There are no secrets in the city finances. Hylla did an excellent job. No scam. Huge improvements from the Baker era when there really was not a treasurer. Everything is audited by an outside agency. You can read it all.
No scams. No secrets. Just a couple of really sad and hateful people on a blog. Or PLEEEEEAAAASE provide one bit of proof of the scandal that will someday unfold. Please. No more vague accusations.
8:48 If you take back your donation you would be scamming the Peru taxpayer. Did you put a donation in the church coffers and ask for that back? And did you write that off on your taxes?
10:43
What are you talking about, you know absolutely nothing about how the city finances work.
EVERY YEAR THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT DONE BY AN OUTSIDE FIRM, get off your hating butt and go down and get a copy from the clerks office,it may be over your head and you may have to get someone to explain it to you.
The city has an Licensed CPA are you calling him corrupt?
Get a clue, Mr. Hylla did a job when no one wanted it and then was reelected.
maybe inquiring calls about the treasurers job should be made to city hall. would love to see how they handle that.
8:48
If you are a true supporter you will take your 10 dollars and place that in a interest bearing account. And I might add that there is no such thing as a interest bearing account. I have been informed that the pool fund has a interest bearing account and the more money in that account, the higher the fund will go. If your taking your 10 dollars out because you need that money, we support you. You may need to detail your chick magnet vehicle or shop for groceries. I do feel for those ladies who have worked hard on donations and your spite serves no purpose.
11:30 AM, June 02, 2016. the independent audit only checks to be sure they follow acceptable accounting standards. It does not check for wasteful spending. It does not check to see if vendors are related to employees. It does not check for false overtime. It does not check the vendor list against the donation list. It does not check the prices of purchased commodities. It does not check the requirement for the largest public works building in the Tri-County area. All it does is make sure the numbers in the column add up correctly and that nobody transferred money directly to themselves.
I am betting that City Hall thought you were all sleeping and not paying any attention to what they were doing. Nice to know that you are probably quietly waiting while they continue on their self interest path.
12:46
It is not the job of an audit to root conspiracy theories. You are right they don't look for those things, however they do question spends in areas that they are unsure about.
Why are you complaining about the public works building being the largest in the TRI county area? Should we have asked other communities if this was too big? I would think they have room to handle any future growth, unless you don't want Peru to grow?
Again bring on the stupid comments that everyone will say, insider cheerleader connected. That's ok i am happy to see Dollar General come to town and the new building for the city employee's
11:16 AM and 11:30 AM, Why so sensitive? The audits you refer to have are not intended to expose wrongdoing by public officials. They are superficial in nature and only confirm that basic accounting principals are being employed by the city. Any misappropriation of funds or other illegal activities are easily disguised by dishonest public officials. Do you think illegal or even questionable financial actions by corrupt city officials are easily found by annual audits? If so, I have some swamp-land to sell you. The city of Dixon was being audited by an "independent firm" each and every year Rita Crundwell was amassing her fortune with taxpayer funds. For the record, I do not believe any Peru official is stealing funds as was the case in Dixon, IL. I do however believe that Peru officials are dishonest in how they portray the financial condition of Peru. I also believe they do so knowing it is at least unethical if not illegal. Home Rule is to blame for much of the shenanigans and money movement between funds that is improper if not illegal and happening regularly in Peru government. That is one of the reasons they will replace Hylla asap before anyone with real qualifications and ethics comes forward to inquire about the appointment. The hurry-up to appoint a replacement for Hylla is the indicator to me that they have something to hide. You don't have to call it a "conspiracy theory" becuase I already have.
12:28 I too feel for those ladies who have devoted so much time and energy to a cause that will never happen with the current administration. Reality is that this administration won't even match the $1000 it took the ladies 2 months of hard work to accumulate. If they won't even match the small amounts the ladies work for what makes these ladies think administration will foot the bill for the maintenance and running of a pool?
lois you are one for the ages. You apparently have lived a perfect life. Congratulations on being so perfect. people are attacked by nameless wonders on your blog get to spew hatred all because of you and you alone. You are creating your legacy. Now lets see if you keep refusing to post things that hit a nerve. You know when you grow older in life people often wish they had done differently. Every time I see you at mass I say a prayer.
12:46
You must have some information? Who is the related vendors? And who are these donors? And what commodities are being charged higher?
More of the same naysayers.
What kind of person makes a donation and takes it back 5 years later?
It looks like old Frank is going to be getting to know Blaggo better. Feds are breathing down his neck. His own party is telling him to "step aside."
1:21 PM, June 02, 2016 - We need to minimize the size of government. Including the size of government buildings. Almost everything that Peru Public Works does can be handed more efficiently and at less cost by an outside contractor.
Rah! Rah! Peru is Great! Peru has the most Trucks out of the Gate! Rah! Rah! Peru is Great! No Pool for you because we need more trucks! Trucks and cars and things to drive! That is how Peru will thrive! Rah! Rah! Peru is Great!
2:23 PM, June 02, 2016 - just look at the expenditure. They buy things "local" without negotiating a better price all the time. I remember a couple of years ago they where paying about $20 for high visibility T-Shirts for workers that can easily have been purchased for $5 on line - same exact T-Shirts with the same exact logo, etc.
This is how Peru is corrupt. They let local vendors charge above market prices for goods and services. That includes all the IT work. If they actually bid it out to companies outside of the local area, they could save considerably.
Then... when they do get something from outside the area... say a number of large electric transformers or perhaps electrical transmission line.... there is a small donation from that out of state vendor that magically shows up in a campaign fund.
Anthony C. Raccuglia & Associates PC - $1,000 to Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor, 5/13/2016
Chamlin & Associates, $400 to Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor, 7/13/2015
Chellino Crane Inc, $1,050 to Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor, 7/16/2015.
Edler Power Services, $500 to Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor, 7/15/2015
Fulmer's BP Amoco, $250 to Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor, 7/15/2015
Timothy McAnarney Consultant, $300 to Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor, 7/18/2015.
1:33
A Alderman will be taking the post and that will allow Harl to free up that spot for his former campaign chair and get rid of the pain in the butt Sr. Alderman.
to 2:03 PM, Thank you for being one of those "nameless wonders spewing hatred". I particularly like your "Holyer than Thou" comment. You can save your prayers for yourself becuase you are no better than anybody else who comments on this blog anonomously. Including me. You clearly suffer from the Peru Syndrome of considering yourself "better" than others. News Flash to 2:03 PM. You are not!
Is the position of Treasurer open to the general public? Is it being advertised anywhere? Are they accepting applications? Is there a dead line for turning in said applications? If so, where has it been posted and what time and date is it?
9:30 and 9:37
Do you think everyone at city hall is on the take? Your post brings up the Mayor Harl campaign contributions. Nothing more. And all legal. Are there any other officials with campaign war chests? Those who are involved in purchasing products? You have proved one point and that is that Mayor Harl has a golf outing and campaign funds. You have proved nothing illegal. I agree that its questionable that a small town Mayor has a campaign fund. Nothing illegal.
There has been many posts about illegal activity and nothing has come of it. There has suggestions that the FBI has been in town to investigate the Mayor, and again nothing has come of it. It's about time to stop these conspiracy posts. If you want to run for office or support a buddy, relative for office bring us your qualifications not your conspiracy.
12:46 So who is the us that you mention in your last sentence? You are obviously someone at 4th and Fulton.
12:46 PM, June 03, 2016 - I am of the opinion that most small town employees are "on the take" in one way or another. Why would they settle for low pay? They compensate in other ways....
not just local. It is an accepted practice in Illinois for people that work in government to find some sort of SCAM to make extra money off the taxpayers. This has been going on since the 1800's and there is no end in sight. The skim is factored in all the budgets. I'd say they loose close to 10% to corruption right off the bat. Then there are the really greedy ones. They are the ones that actually get caught. As long as they keep it low profile... an overtime hour here, a free tank of gas there... nobody cares. In fact, I bet it is encouraged. At least it is from "Happy".
A comment was made earlier about the handling of the robbery. I would like to know why the Red Code phone system was not used for any of these robberies. Can it only be used for weather? or abductions? Seems to me like more people would have been on the "look out" had we been informed. It's so sad to know that unless you have access to facebook earlier in the day, you are totally out of the loop about a dangerous person, maybe with a gun, running around town. People don't listen to the radio anymore. It's too late to see it in the paper. It was my impression that any public safety issue could be shared on this alert system. Yes? No?
7:04 PM, June 03, 2016 - "they" decided to purchase the most basic package with the reverse 911 system. They have maybe one free test a year, after that every time they use it, it costs something like $1,000. If they use it for public safety, it impacts the "public safety vehicle" plan, and the "public safety complex" plan. Remember, Peru is all about buying trucks, cars, and buildings - not public service.
7:04 June 3rd: I thought the same thing. Also, if you've been keeping informed on this situation there has been 2 different descriptions of the suspect. The one in our local paper has him/her wearing a black ski mask all though none of the pictures show that. The "wanted poster" put out by the FBI has him wearing a plastic mask and blonde wig (which goes along with the pictures from the surveillance camera). I'm confused!
7:46 I think spending $1000 to possibly catch an armed and dangerous bank robber is well worth the price.
12:18. I agree. We seem to have quite a few bank robberies lately and they are all getting away. I don't think their current plan is working. Maybe if the public knew immediately, we could watch for something unusual.
12:18 PM, June 04, 2016 - tat is because you are a logical, thinking person. You are obviously way over qualified to be a public official.
We need constant video surveillance within the six block vicinity of all banks. It would also help if all "local" cars had GPS tracking devices installed in them. That technology would allow police to interrogate vehicles to see if they are "outsiders." Any identified "outsider vehicles" can be given extra attention as they drive through town. Bank customers should also be REQUIRED to be buzzed in to the lobby after providing fingerprints via a biometric scanner and submit to a photograph with hats and or hoods removed.
People that enter a bank should automatically be viewed with some sort of suspicion. After all, what purpose does that average person have for actually entering a bank in this day and age?
you are right. there are very few transactions that require a physical presence in the bank. Banks don't need a lobby anymore. A secure facility for transferring cash for businesses should be separated from the consumer section that is mostly paperwork. The cash facility should require prearranged appointments with known individuals. These businesses should be encouraged to shift their customers to using electronic transactions.
The Consumer section - a different facility - would be nothing but an office. If a consumer wants cash, they go to the ATM machine.
2:33, what kind of idiot are you, we have enough of big brother looking over our shoulder now. We are supposed to be living in a free society, but big government is whittling that away. In the old days banks would have a guard on staff, lets get back to good old fashion ideas, cops on a beat wouldn't hurt either. They could walk the SPR area, the 4th street area, the northern areas on bikes etc.
11:45 what price do you put on the safety of a child. That band was walking distance from a SCHOOL! We need to consider safety first. If you are not a criminal you won't mind that type of surveillance. It is for the CHILDREN!
who's guarding that 1000.00 check taken from the pool fund? Why hasn't that been in the news?
most crime involves cash. If you do away with cash and use electronic transactions only, crime will be reduced.
2:19 The check was not taken. It was returned. The donor was running for office and promised to give $1000.00 to the pool if he was elected. After not being re-elected the money was requested and sent back to the donor. Nothing sinister. He didn't request any interest to be paid on the donation.
8:57 Electronic transaction are the biggest crime being committed in today's world.
11:45 Cops on bikes or on the beat would solve bank robberies? What century are we living in? Criminals drive cars. Walk 4th street? Where would they patrol? John's place? Please get a grip.
1:51 School security is about as safe as you can get. Robbers going into a school wouldn't be able to unlock the door. Please no more about the safety of our schools. Why is everything about the children? Some dude robbed a bank, why does the safety of kids come up in every conversation?
1:51 Have you ever been in a school? That is like Fort Knox, its safe and secure from most problems. You don't rob a school.
2:33 We don't need to track everybody's GPS. How stupid do you sound? And then we could monitor your food intake, your entertainment schedule and give you the monthly check. Talk about government control. Were becoming robots.
After reading many of these post, I have summarized that earthlings should not be saved.
12:17, nobody gets shot when electronic funds are stolen. We also need armed security guards in schools, preferably with AR-15's readily available incase things go south. At a minimum they the guards should carry pistols with them at all times. If there are teachers willing to get the appropriate training, they should be packing also.
3:05
When was the last bank robbery that someone was shot? The fascination with having bigger guns is insane. We all think like the world's a 30 minute sitcom and the good guy with the gun always wins. Most shootings are done by deranged people that by the element of surprise wreck havoc on the intended site. Having a automatic rifle at a school site or bank won't deter problems. Anyway, why should anybody not in law enforcement have a AK47? Please don't try to tell me about the 2nd amendment rights being taken away.
An AR-15 is not an automatic weapon. It is a Self Loading modern rifle and the most popular sporting arm in the United States. It fires a 22 caliber projectile and has a black plastic stock. They are a good defensive tool as well as a good rifle for hunting deer as well as other game. It is not a very big gun - in fact the projectile is rather small. Compared to the M-1 Garand 30 Caliber Rifle, the AR-15 is week. I own both. Several AR-15's in fact. I like the AR platform for its light weight and the light weight of the ammunition. But, the Garand Rifle is a true Battle implement. In fact, it was called the greatest battle implement ever devised by General Patton. Soldiers of the time would consider the AR-15 week and ineffective.
Eugene Stoner - inventor of the AR (Armalite Rifle) platform and John C. Garand - inventor of the Cal. 30, M-1 Rifle and John M. Browning a genius in firearms design. Three of the greatest Americans of all time!
7:22
Many of us would have different heroes and not many would call the rifle makers the greatest Americans of all time. Very few of us blame those inventors for the violence across our country. Many of us also believe that every American is not entitled or be allowed to have a firearm. Come halfway NRA and have some common sense.
Three of the greatest Americans? Because they designed a gun style that you like? I like the Ford Mustang, but I would not call the designer "one of the greatest Americans of all time." I think you need a serious history lesson if you consider three different gun designers among the greatest Americans.
You are the same dude that spews that same gun crap over and over. You like guns. We get it.
9:07 AM, June 09, 2016 - already have some "common sense." If you are a convicted felon or adjudicated mentally incompetent, you cannot own a gun. In the state of Illinois, you need to pass a background check to even hold a gun at a store - it is called the FOID card. Then you have to pass a background check to actually purchase it. Even if you purchase it from a relative or friend, you need to submit FOID card check via the Illinois State Police. The NRA and the American People have come more than half way. And based on the sales for the last 5 to 10 years, I think most people agree that there is nothing wrong with every law abiding American owning a firearm.
I forgot to mention some other Great American's - Mr. Smith, Mr. Wesson, and Col. Colt.
"God made some men big and others small, but Samuel Colt made them equal"
Imagine how many lives would have been saved in Orlando if the designated drivers could also carry a gun.
12:59- Ask the people in Orlando whether they think the AR-15 is "weak and ineffective." You should be ashamed of that comment.
Can we just ignore the gun moron? We all know who he is and he says the same damn things over and over.
This is not a gun issue anyway. It is a mental health issue.
The AR-15 is weak an ineffective as compared to an M-1 Garand. To bad a few more people inside that club didn't have a gun to shoot back with.
And there he is. The expert on all things, guns in particular.
all you have to do is look at picture of both cartridges and you would understand. Then watch a video of someone shooting a cinder block wall with both rifles.
the AR is much lighter than the M-1. That is worth something. But, nothing like a classic M-1. It is worth having in your personal defense portfolio. But like they say, the best gun to have in a fight is the one that you have with you. Like cell phones, smaller can be better.
6:51 has a "personal defense portfolio". Of course you do. I hate to tell you that your little fantasy of getting to shoot it out with someone at the OK corral will not end well for you legally. There are very few cases that you have a right to shoot someone, including when they walk in your house. Please don't spout the law to me, as I already know what it is.
My point is that normal people don't speak regularly about getting into gun fights. Including people like me, who I hate to tell you am a gun owner and enjoy shooting from time to time. Most of us do that quietly, but people who have to tell everyone and show pictures of themselves doing it are just a little off. Sorry dude. Just try being a little cool about it, instead of showing people you are just a little off your rocker.
who said anything like that? All I'm saying is that both the AR-15 and the M-1 have different attributes. The M-1 being big and heavy, but much more effective projectile. The AR-15 being light with a weaker cartridge that can be overcome with the ability to carry more. But, if you have actually studied the subject, you know this already.
Not once did anyone say anything about getting in a gun fight.
And, yes. Everyone should have a "defensive portfolio." Be it a legally carried pistol, or just car keys and a cell phone. In most situations, you are your first responder.
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