“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

Monday, February 08, 2010

Putting Events Into Perspective

Last week an individual was removed from his job as part time bus driver for the city of Peru and La Salle and the event has become more than it should be like having a elephant in the room. It doesn't matter who he is related to or if they worked in the election of Scott Harl.
The problem is the manner in which it was done.

The way in which Peru and most cities are governed is that decisions are made at the top which is the Mayor and then approved by the City Council. The City Clerk does not have any part in the process. In the case of removal from a job, the council does not need to give the OK, it is the Mayor's prerogative.
It remains to be seen if the following questions are answered at the informal meeting on Wednesday. When were complaints received about the bus driver and who made them and who received them and when? Should the aldermen have been called on the complaints as they had just authorized on January 18, the continuance of the same driver? Should the position have been posted and the job advertised? Should LaSalle have any input into the problem, since they pay for half of the cost? If you have any further questions before the informal meeting, please post them here on the Peru Town Forum.

6 comments:

Linda said...

I'd like to know whey we seem to be compelled to hire outside our city.
I'd also like to know why we seemingly have two leases for two buses.

Anonymous said...

While I don't see it on the agenda for tonight's informal council meeting ,I've heard through the grapevine that Library board seats may be discussed. Just thought I'd mention it for those who might be interested.

Peru Town Forum said...

There has been very little comment about the Library at council meetings or anywhere at City Hall that anyone outside the inner circle could hear.

Peru Town Forum said...

Evidently complaints that were received about the previous driver were made to the city clerks office and not to any of the alderman. It also seems as if no one is in charge of the program.
The previous driver was chosen by the previous SPW Kowalczyk and he drove the bus until his dismissal last week.
I questioned why the city clerk chose the new driver and I was told that the shuttle bus is considered to be part of the city clerks office and that means that Dave Bartley was given the responsiblity of hiring the replacment.
So if the first driver was chosen by the SPW and the second by the City Clerk, it seems to me that the whole program could use some supervision and I continue to question that if this person is considered a city employee why is this job not posted and/or advertised and applications accepted and then pick the best.

Linda said...

I got the feeling at last night's meeting that this new bus driver is already unhappy. Maybe he's not patient enough to deal with the elderly. I wonder if there was this much complaining in the past (about the routes and the people).

Anonymous said...

The library issue was once again brought up at last night's meeting and, once again, the aldermen put the blame for OUR tax increase on the library board. First, we the citizens of Peru are the ones who have to pay and second, we have to pay because OUR council failed us. They refused, for many years, to the gradual tax increase the library asked for. Finally, the library had no alternative but to attack full force. If the council had been more receptive and understanding the citizens would not be in this position. Thank you Alderman Ferrari - you seem to understand. (Didn't the council vote a tax increase for the city itself? Once again - we pay) Let's put the blame where it belongs, admit our mistakes, and work together for a better future!