Sitting at the Council Meeting last evening and listening to the absolute blather coming from several of our elected Aldermen, namely Ald. Ankiewicz, Mertel and O Beirne, I could not but think how poorly their wards are represented by these men. They seem to think that they know better than anyone what is right and never what is wrong. They believe they are smarter than our City Attorney, Mayor Harl, qualified engineers from Williams Aquatics and Illinois Departments regulating the public pools in this state.
All the aldermen receive packets of information prior to the meeting and this weeks included a letter from the City Atty telling them of their liability of opening a pool with safety issues, a letter from the State of Illinois telling them that they were coming to inspect the pool. Their response is O'Beirne saying again that the report from Williams is full of errors, (my personal interpretation of this is that he believes only Drennan and he know anything about the pool). Mertel with delusions of being Mayor attempts to appoint Ken Drennan as point person to Williams Aquatics. Jamie you have been alderman for how many years and you think you can surpass the powers of the Mayor just because you feel like it. and submit your choice for an appointment for approval from the Council. And then the Mayor and City Atty have to tell you that you are out of bounds and cannot do that.
The balance of the Council members except Ald. Wren also contributed to this farcical presentation for public viewing.
You had to see this performance to believe it.
If you live in Peru, you need to be aware because you are not being represented honestly, call your alderman let him know how you feel. Call the Mayors office, All of them have email addresses so if you are reading this you can easily send them an email. If you think he is doing a good job let him know and if you think he is wrong let him know. This is your town.
29 comments:
What we need to understand is that Mayor Harl was elected by the entire population of Peru and that he deserves the same respect that was given to former Mayor Baker by the aldermen. It is their responsibilty and duty to respect the Mayor and the concerns of the people that elected them. Obviously they are showing no respect to anyone!
Anonymous said...
Are we saying that despite the mayors saying no, despite the city attorney's warning, and despite the professionals report of code violations and safety issues they are still going to open the pool?
10:41 AM, May 20, 2010
I did not grow up in Peru, but would come for the swimming lessons offered in July for two weeks. I loved those days and that pool. What saddens me the most is that is seems that this pool did not have the tender loving care it should have had over the years. And why not? It was put on the back burner and neglected while the North end of Peru grew. If that pool had been properly maintained over the years this would not even be an issue.
My question to the nomination of Mr. Drennan is why was it even allowed on the agenda if it does not follow protocol? Shouldn't Mr. Mertel been aware of this as he has been an alderman for some time?
Bingo ANON 11:25. You are absolutely right. That pool should have been properly maintained over the years. ALDERMEN - Why wasn't it? If YOU would have done your job and accepted responsibility YOU would not be in this position today. Didn't our qualified pool person ever bring these concerns and problems with the pool to the council? Did any of you every check the condition of the pool for yourselves? Surely alderman Potthoff would know the new codes and regulations required to maintain a pool. Did he ever bring this up at a meeting and question whether or not we've made the proper adjustments to meet specifications?
General Comment:
Once again, here we go. Making the Pool issue a mountain from a mole hill.
The teenager who asked the mayor last night, "why did they wait so long to discuss the pool issue "? and the mayor response that "sometimes government doesn't move as quickly as you'd like it".
What the mayor SHOULD HAVE SAID, since memorial day is like christmas and comes in the same month each year, is that I (Mayor) have provided a lack of leadership and guidance to the city council. I did not govern for which I was elected by the majority of those voting but not majority of the city of peru.
Last year the pool opened after the same maintenance but leaking water. Like the oil spill in the gulf, together FIX THE WATER LEAK and move on.
Lets not have any personal agendas here
but to work for the citizens of Peru. Parents speak up !
Those making all of the noise, I doubt have any children attending the peru pool.
I will not comment on your reasoning as to what was said or what should have been said because that is your choice to believe whatever you like. I do know that people in government never say exactly what I would like to hear and its always easy to judge them after the fact.
If you have a problem with plumbing in your home and you believe the faucet is the problem and every year you replace that same faucet but your problem continues and it is actually the plumbing in your basement what good does it do to repair the faucet each year.
That is exactly what the city has been doing patching and painting again and again when it now turns out that the initial base of the pool has disintegrated and there is no longer a solid base to continue to patch and paint. If fixing the water leak was as simple as you make it sound, I believe the city would have long ago taken care of it. furthermore as several people have stated this pool has not been cared for for a long time.
What do you expect from a pool that has been used each summer since 1927?
that it can go on forever?
This pool should be the least of worries for the city. There are many more pressing issues facing us right now. But this mole hill will become a mountain if someone is hurt. So let the experts make their decisions and go from there. If they suggest the pool needs major repairs, close it this summer start the work and be ready to open it next spring.
For those of you who do not attend meetings but may be reading this blog or the articles in the newspaper you should be made aware that: No one has ever stood up at a meeting and stated "CLOSE THE POOL. DO NOT OPEN THE POOL. DEPRIVE THE KIDS OF THEIR SUMMER JOBS." You may get that impression from some of the comments posted but it is far from the truth. Those who have voiced concern have only done so for the safety of our children. The experts (Williams Aquatics), that your aldermen voted unanimously to hire, have stated that there are several safety issues and code violations that need to be addressed. It has been rumored that in places the base of the pool is only 2" thick. Let's allow the experts that our aldermen hired for $15,000 do their job and present their findings and go from there. I think we all have the same intent in mind - KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.
From reading the newspaper tonite (5/20/10), I understand that the pool will be filled but not sure of the opening. I assume it is to see what if any kind of leaking will occur. Whatever happened to conservation of water - not to mention dollar being spent in salaries, cost of chemicals to treat this water - but the biggy is water conservation. Don't come to the general populace in the dry hot summer and say we need to conserve the water as the wells are getting low.
Secondly, I understand that some of the "hired" lifeguards came to the meeting with the concern for their jobs. #1 I would say great, as it is an opportunity to tell them the real story behind the delay - not some 2nd hand story from someone who has an agenda. Use the opportunity - these are intelligent teenagers, after all they have passed testing to save lives. Perhaps our aldermen need to take a test. After all they still cannot understand the facts being reported by a 3rd party qualified pool professional.
Nice post anon 6:28 but you assume wrong. They are not going to fill the pool to see if there is any kind of leaking instead, they are filling it to get ready to open it. The problem of the leaking has been put on the back burner and not mentioned lately.
We have forgotten that the pool cannot open without permits from the state. They have notified Peru that they are coming and I can only assume that Williams may have also contacted the state which Jamey requested they do. If the state finds fault with the pool, I would imagine that extensive work might need to be done. Also the company that did the ground borings to determine what is under he pool will have submitted a report to the city. Right now we are looking at a lot of "what ifs"
Lois - I don't understand how and why Williams Aquatic would get the permits for us.
No they will not get permits for us but just inform the state of what is going on and the need for permits if the city continues to press for an early opening.
It is hard to continue to read the various comments in regard to the city pool. It is obvious some work/repairs (routine maintenance over winter) needs to done. Just like many things that are exposed to the harsh Illinois Valley winters, like roads from salt use.
But overall this city is really screwed up. The recent election winners have no plan, & no priorities.(maybe there are personal plans not city plans)
We spend money on pick up trucks because someone wants one, we purchase a new lawnmower ($6000) because we don't like to fix the old one anymore, we purchase fencing for the baseball field, we lease blacktop heating cart ,$10,000(we never had one in the past. workers sure like to ride around the city pulling the cart).
Many of you can add much more dollars that has been spent this past year frivolusly and blamed the Baker Administration.
Now the city is broke. The pool needs money but guess what, WE SPENT THE MONEY ON OTHER THINGS BECAUSE WE LIKED TO HAVE THEM BUT NOT FOR NEED OF THEM.
As Gary stated at the budget meeting, Mayor Baker ran the city "LEAN". God Bless Him.
The budget meeting documents indicated $650K-$700K shortfall this year and yet the mayor wants to continue to spend money. (remember a grant is still OUR tax money)
Go figure, this is CHANGE. I can't afford it . How about You ?
You right anon 10:48 we can't afford this things but we also cannot survive without many of them. You have to realize that all of these things have been put on the back burner for many years and have been neglected - much the same as the pool. Someday, someone is going to have to start fixing and rebuilding the city of Peru that moved northward but got neglected everywhere else.
9:47 AM
You are 100& correct!
I recall several meetings ago when Mr. Drennan was asked how long it would take him to patch the pool his response was "a minimum of 2 weeks". So why is the pool manager and her employees anxious to meet with Mr. Bleck Monday morning? Surely the summer help is not qualified to patch the pool so why would they need to be there?
ANON 10:48 You do realize who votes on how our money is spent and on what - don't you - YOUR ALDERMEN!! The mayor has no vote on these issues unless there is a tie and believe you me he has never had to utilize that right yet. Not even close! So, if you want to address someone on the spending issue address your ALDERMAN! Understand how your government works and put the blame where it rightfully belongs!
to Anon 9:47 and to Lois 10:02
Show me the total plan and priorities from this Mayor and then maybe I could believe your comments , otherwise we are going in circles jumping from one frivolus issue after another without legitimate facts but only hear say and I told you so comments !....
The fact is, we have the blind leading the blind not knowing what to do or where to turn but to keep blaming the fact that there was not any past attention or maintentance on the assets of the city of Peru. I believe that is all NOT TRUE..
It is only talking issues created by those who voted against Baker.
The current Mayor stated during the campaign that he attended all of the city council meetings for the entire year before the election. What did he do in the meeting , SLEEP ?
The information you are looking for is available but you need to get yourself out and attend committee meetings and city council meetings.
The Finance committee meets twice a month before each Wednesday meeting and that is where you will hear all about how we are spending our money and for what. There are always extra chairs, so come on in. And if too many people decide to come they will move to the city council chambers. But again let me say You Are Welcome.
And then later the same day that information will be presented to the council for approval on spending what little money we have left.
That is how you will find out who is making financial decisions for the city.
Minutes of all those meetings are posted on line but it will be at least 2 weeks after the fact.
It will then be not hearsay but what you are hearing with your own ears.
And even better they allow time for Public Comments.
ANON 11:39 Do you honestly believe we get ourselves in 45 million dollars of debt in one year? You can't possibly be that naive.
Another subject maybe a different heading.
Well Well, city of Peru , see todays New trib HEADLINES "a First for Peru 25+ years" city tax rate Climbs.
THANK YOU MAYOR HARL FOR ALL OF THE GREAT WORK, just what we needed a tax increase.
Now the city of La Salle has lower taxes then Peru.
The bottom line will be from all of the 1400 supporters and the need to raise taxes but to me I am not in favor of raising taxes as well as the other 8500 people in this town.
You can bet, The story line will go like this, well the decrease in sales tax has caused all of the problems afterall we had to increase the police pension fund.
No, I say where has been the focus . This economy has been slipping for the past year and is now turning around. But the city of peru ,Mayor was focused on who should run the airport, close the indoor pool, now close the outdoor pool,let business close the doors in the city and let the sales tax go down.
Some business wants to remodel or build to increase sales tax but what do we do , have rats positioned outside of the business to show our support.
I could go on for writing a book here and my frustrations would get the better of me so , THANK YOU VERY MUCH MAYOR FOR THE INCREASE IN TAXES.
Baker was in the same position over the past 40 years and yet DID NOT RAISE TAXES but brought in businesses(north of shooting park road)to help the city of peru earn the reputation of the LOWEST TAXES in the valley. Now it is La Salle who can raise the banner. You are #2 Peru.
Thank God for living in Peru.
Baker did not raise taxes, but he did not give the library what taxes you paid, but a lesser amount over the last 10 to 12 years. That is why, they need the money, to keep up with repairs, and all that goes into running a library.
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW, THAT THE LIBRARY WAS GETTING GYPED, ALL THESE YEARS. TIME TO WAKE UP, PEOPLE.
MAYOR HARL IS GIVING THEM WHAT IT SAYS ON YOUR TAX BILL, THAT IS WHAT IS COMMING TO THEM.
To Anon 8:39am
you are correct except now what you are paying for at the Library is for the employees are getting big raises. Did you get a raise this year or last ?
Wrong decision to provide the additional money . Period..
anon 10:41 - Where did you get your mis-information? First of all, that money should have rightfully been given to the library many years ago but was denied. Secondly, the employees at the library have been loyal and hard working despite being denied any raises - let alone big ones as you suggest. Next, you already apparently know how they are going to spend money that they don't even have yet. Next, did you know that some of it will have to be spent to hire lawn and snow removal care as the city will no longer provide those services. You didn't mind losing money on the indoor pool for a select few citizens, nor pouring money down the drain at the outdoor pool, nor building a new city hall but you don't want the library to survive? It seems that some citizens are only interested in entertainment for their children but against education.
To 9:38 a.m. - Well said. Please continue to expose those individuals who deliberately post false information. Unfortunately, allowing people to knowingly post lies is the price we all have to pay for free speech. Therefore, we respond with the facts and move on.
Thank you for participating.
Turn on your computer or maybe you don't have one and need to go to the library and use 1 of the 3 they have..
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