Through the use of the internet I found a list of cities similiar to the size of Peru and mostly not in the Metropolitan Chicago area and checked the government profiles to see how often the City Councils meet. I don't think it would surprise any of us to find out that ALL that I checked met twice a month on a regular schedule. Some even schedule committee meetings prior to the City Council meetings and everything is done very efficiently.
This is a list of the cities with population.
(not alphabetical)
Chillicothe- 5996
Mendota - 7272
Monmouth - 9841
Wauconda - 9448
Washington - 10,841
Sycamore - 12,020
Swansea - 10.579
Summit - 10,637
Rock Falls - 9580
Rochelle - 9424
Paris - 9077
Ottawa - 18,30O
Olney - 8631
Lockport - 15,191
Morris - 11,928
It is very interesting to read their web sites and see how they manage their individual cities. Now my question is Why do they meet every week here in Peru?
What is the history behind the meetings and was it ever any different?
Just wanted to add that this is a schedule that was inherited by the currently seated aldermen but they can make changes if they think it is in the best interests of the city.
9 comments:
Lois, it was and continues to be the "that's the way it always has been" mentality. We citizens need to demand accountability from our government. If other cities the same size as Peru can do it, we certainly can.
Lois you hit the nail right on the head when you stated "we inherited the meeting schedule by the currently seated aldermen". The citizens of Peru need to realize that many of the problems we face today are a result of "our currently seated aldermen". They make and vote on all issues.
The country is in the worst economic strife since the early 1980's. The State of IL is cutting education and safety funding along with many other revenues. Our city is broke due to borrowing from one source to pay the next and not ever having any intention of repaying the debt. A complete hit and miss form of financial planning enabled by the misuse of "Home Rule" governance.
City Aldermen of Peru can window shop all they want but they are the ones responsible for foolishly overspending and investing unwisely. ($43,000,000 in total debt, $19,580,000 general obligation debt and all without a reserve fund) The adult citizens of Peru, their children and their grandchildren are going to have to pay for their poor choices and wasteful spending.
At the onset of Mayor Harl's term, the Aldermen wanted to prove that no move could be made without their consent. Truly, this has been the case - everything has been stopped with the exception of continued needless spending. It certainly enlightened the interested citizens as to who should be credited with the present dire situation.
It appears that it is time for aldermen to listen to Mayor Harl and the City Treasurer. It is interesting that having a qualified, knowledgable Treasurer rather than a token check signee, gives rise to a checks and balance agenda. Mayor, Treasurer, City Attorney, City Clerk and City Aldermen hold a joint responsibility to make sure that all monies collected are allocated accordingly. All positions are important and responsible and hold a liability to the Citzens of Peru. No position should be ignored. That is check and balance, not a one sided, manipulative government.
I agree with you 100% 8:29PM.
Sometimes it seems as if Home Rule was just a cover for all the poor financial dealings that have been going on in past years. Our taxes were kept low and because we did not know what was taking place, the residents did not realize that low taxes were simply a way to keep anyone from taking a closer look at what was really happening.
Lois you are so right. But do you know one or two of the aldermen, do not believe that the city is in debt? They think there is money somewhere. That this is just a bunch of hogwash.
That tells you how smart some of the aldermen are.
Or, maybe they know something that should be told to the current administration. Everything always seems to go back to the previous administration and what it did or didn't do, but was never recorded. Guess the answer is "term limits" and official obligation to do the assigned position job description. Course, that can only make sure the future is an "open book". What can be done about the past? And, possibly in this case, who is not telling what they know?
When a Home Rule Government is in place the city may use their pillow taxes as they wish. Maybe they should use their pillow tax money for a new pool!
Maybe, use the pillow tax to pay some of their bills, before makeing any new ones.
No maybe about it....pay the bills first!!! The pool is a luxury we cannot afford at this time!!! NO wonder the city, county, state and federal government are in such dire straights. From what I have been reading people just do not understand that you pay the bills first and then you can have luxuries based upon the amount of money they have left over.
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