Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Kill the messenger and Deny, Deny, Deny
How can I even begin to put into words the appalling behavior by our aldermen at last nights presenentation by Williams Aquatics regarding the total dis-repair of the Peru Municipal Pool. From the incoherent ramblings of Jack O'Beirne to the total disregard for state and federal law expressed by Dave Potthoff and Jamey Mertel. Absolute "denial" by every alderman with the exception of Ron Wren who at least attempted to convince the others of the seriousness of the situation. When Alderman Wren mentioned that the details of the Williams report are now public knowlege and would be reported in the media the banter between the other aldermen spiralled into a bizarre discussion of whether or not the regulating agencies could be prevented from becoming aware of the existing violations so the pool could still be open this summer. With O'Beirne asking aloud, "Do you think anybody would call them"? Followed by Mertel's "I think we know who will be calling them", referring to a group of "troublemakers" in the gallery. Mertel and O'Beirne openly expressed their contempt for any citizen who would dare notify authorities of serious life/safety concerns at the pool.
These guys just don't get it. They are in complete denial of the situation and they obviously lack the integrity to accept the report and deal with the problems at hand. Pool manager Linda Kasik was in attendance and indicated the pool is very "safe" and has passed annual inspections from the IDPH. Now she's on record and I will verify the facts and details of those inspections.
The arrogance of these aldermen is astounding and I am beginning to believe that the only thing that would smack them into reality would be a tragedy at that pool resulting in a mega lawsuit against the city and probably each and every individual alderman because as City Attorney Schweickert advised, it now constitutes "Willful and Wanton" negligence if the city opens the pool without correcting those violations.
It is crystal clear now that we are in for a fight to save them (aldermen) from themselves.
This is only the beginning.
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55 comments:
I have been attending the pool for the last several summers & have seen nothing but professionalism by Mrs. Kasik the manager & all the lifeguards. There has NEVER been an incident. My children & I feel VERY SAFE there. Shame on you for implying that the safety of the public is not the #1 priority of the manager!! If the pool was not safe, they never would have passed yearly inspections!
Now what are our children of Peru supposed to do?? All summer, no pool = bored kids = trouble!!
People need to think of our children instead of getting on some wild band wagon about closing the pool! WHY? I wish someone could explain to me why they so badly want this pool closed?! Find something of value to fight for & defend instead of closing down our public pool! Are these people sooo bored that they have nothing else to do except find ways to stop children from having fun! Find a hobby!!!!!
10:16 AM
This has nothing to do with the people employed as lifeguards at the pool and Mrs Kasik knows that now as she was told. It has to do with the present condition of the 83 year old pool As to the yearly inspections, it was NEVER done in the way this one was done. NEVER EVER. I suggest you get a copy of the Williams Report from the City Clerks office and read it for yourself.
More will be forthcoming on the so called inspections.
I don't believe you would allow your children to sleep in a recalled crib or play with toys with lead paint from China and you are telling us you would let your children in a pool that has a list of safety violations as long as your arm?
I don't think anyone has indicated that Linda Kasik is anything but professional. This is not about individuals nor about wanting the pool closed - it's about meeting the necessary safety codes and regulations established by our government. We have asked these professionals to do a job and that is what they are doing. It's appalling that we treat them with arrogance and disrespect!
10:30AM
Thee are other activities your children can take part in provided by the city. And if swimming is important to your children, send them to our new and safe YMCA. Or if you prefer to be outside go to LaSalle or any of the other surrounding towns that have newer pools.
Surely you remember that the City of LaSalle had enough sense to close their pool for one summer and make repairs to bring it into into compliance and provide a safe area for swimmers. Surely Peru can do no less for the safety of our children.
Again: READ THE REPORT, it is available to any citizen from the City.
ANON 10:16 - Where and when has anyone indicated that Mrs. Kasik and her staff is anything but professional?
ANON 10:30 People are thinking of your children - that's why they don't want them swimming in a pool that may be a hazard to their lives. You should be thrilled that citizens are concerned for the safety of our children and worried that your aldermen are not. Attend meetings. Become informed. Maybe then you can understand how vital and important and truthful this post by Steve really is!!
It's a cheap shot to claim that someone has it in for the kids or somebody wants to prevent lifegaurds from having a summer job. The flaw in that thinking is it's just not the point of the issue. I don't have to claim the pool is out of compliance with numerous accessibility and safety issues. A professional architect/consultant hired by the city has said it in no uncertain terms.
Don't use the kids not having anything to do this summer to bolster your argument. Nothing you can say about the kids justifies putting them or anybody else at risk.
It's not about closing the pool. It's about making it as safe as it can be.
In response to your comment about "where has anyone indicated that the mgr is not professional"? Please refer to Steve's comment at 10:15 on May 9....he absolutely implies that! I HAVE been to city council meetings & I believe I'm actually MORE informed than most! Some are very good at "spinning" information. The words "Not Safe" should NEVER be mentioned here! Not meeting code on the # of shower heads, or exits, etc. does not mean children are at risk when swimming in this pool! THEY ARE NOT AT RISK! As for passing inspection each year, are you saying that the inspector doesn't have a list of expected standards? These are standards EVERY pool in IL has to meet. Think about this: the city of Peru paid them $15,000 to do this "study"...of course they want to find something wrong. They want us to build a new pool b/c that means $$$$ in their pockets! I was just wondering when is the last time you have actually stepped into the Peru Pool?
Steve, don't forget the way they treated the last individual who came to the council with a presentation for a new pool. That gentleman was basically told to take his materials and leave.
1:24 PM
Since you did not give us the courtesy of signing your name but hid behind anonymous, I can't question as to whether you have been at the meetings or not but I do know that Steve and I and numerous other people whom I know by name do attend and not one of them has an argument with the findings of Williams Aquatics.
I am just thankful that someone outside the city who is a professional actually stands up and tells it like it is.
We have had too many years where things were done with a wink and a nod. I cannot even imagine that all records regarding work done on the pool was left in the care of Ken Drennan a city employee and not in our City Clerk's office...but it did happen. And then accidently they were all destroyed, they say. Lousy caretakers of the public records so there is no way anyway can prove what was done and not done.
And whoever you are, I certainly hope you are not certifying the safety of our public buildings.
RE: the pool director, she did not have the courtesy to notify the Williams Aquatics people that she was the pool manager and had something to say, she just began shouting at them how safe the pool was and indicated no problems existed.
Lois, this is off the subject but did everyone notice where Mr. Vickery and Mr. Landgraf did their research for Peru's celebration?
Anon 1:24 Please be specific as to what Steve said about Mrs. Kasik not being professional.
Lois did no one introduce Ms. Kasik as the pool manager? And by the way, where was Mr. Drennan? He should have been at the meeting for questions.
Good question ANON 4:50. Mr. Drennan should have been required to attend the meeting. ANON 3:14 - I believe it was at the PERU PUBLIC LIBRARY - wasn't it?
Ms. Kasik, if you are the pool manager, and were at that meeting, you misunderstood everything, they explained. They weren't worried about a child drowning, thats not the safety issues they were talking about. Its the safety of the pool itself, why it is leaking, It has 3 bottoms. What if that would give out with a pool full of kids???? Ms Kasik being pool manager, is more than scheduling lifeguards and seeing that they are on time. Its more than that. I think they should get a qualified pool manager and you stick to the concession. My oponion.
Williams did meet with Drennan previously at one of their early meetings. I believe they then found out that he could add nothing to their investigation. They are studying the structural integrity of the pool and he only knows how often and with what he patched the pool.
Let's not forget several months ago when Jack O'Beirne took it upon himself to have Drennan do a study of water loss without informing the Mayor or other Council members of what he was doing. Of course at that time Drennen should have said I don't take orders from you Ald. O'Beirne but only from the SPW or with his permission can I do this study. With all that in mind, we should not have been surprised about the inappropriate behavior of Ald. O' Beirne at last nights meeting. When aldermen start telling city employees what and how they should do their job, it is time for them remove themselves from being a part of city government.
In regard to the pool,what is with the current mayor and all of his supportors in attendance?
The behavior of the supporters at the city council meeting as well as some in the blog are trying to cause trouble and show the "greater than thou attitude". How many people complaining HAVE EVER provided a constructive positive comment to make this city grow. Good advertising ,great, business will really want to relocate in peru where all of this bickering is going on. It is not the city aldermen (council) but the supporters opening there mouth and raising there chests to say , Look who we are ! Vote them all out next time around..
I believe Alderman O'Beirne had effectively stepped down when he choose not to be Treasurer after being elected. When does an elected official get to take back his old position after being elected. How the city council allowed this choice to occur is a wonder.
As to those people who are so concerned for the loss of the pool for their childrens entertainment.....I know it becomes a supervised babysitter (and yes, I know there is costs) but how can you weigh there lives against keeping them safe and busy at home. Turn on a hose, send them to the YMCA, go to a welcoming neighbors pool, or go to a neighboring city pool. That will get them wet and entertained and it will perhaps keep them from getting badly hurt. And, if all else fails entertain them yourselves - after all they are your children. Just think, if the bottom of that pool developed a major crack and collapsed it could create such a down draft as to pull small children against the bottom and hold them there. What an awful thought!!!! After all that water is going somewhere and it is not just a trickle - it is in major amounts. Come on people think beyond the immediate.
ANON 7:17 Are you serious? How can you judge the public for asking questions and label them but accept that our aldermen virtually call professionals (that they hired) liars? This is not about being a Harl or Baker supporter - it is about making sure something is safe before we allow our children to use it. No one has said "close the pool".
7:17AM
FYI it is because citizens were complacent and did not take an interest in the city government that we are in the situation we are. Our city government did not put any money away for a rainy day and just spent like there was no tomorrow. Now we are burdened by a 45 million debt and a decaying infrastructure. No one thought ahead and residents were not watching.
Always remember:
THE PRICE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT IS ETERNAL CITIZEN VIGILANCE
and that is exactly what those "trouble makers" are doing. Many positive comments have been made to members of our government that you are not privy to nor should you be.
Your attitude is so typical of many in our government nationwide from the top to the bottom. So I am assuming from the tone of your posting you are in the government or in some way connected to it.
Be thankful for those troublesome people who attend meetings they may just protect you against your worst enemy "Yourself".
The city belongs to each resident living here and each one of them has a right and responsibility to actively participate in that government. Last I heard, it was our tax dollars funding this town and we need to be aware of everything taking place.
Anonymous 7:17 - Thank you for participating in this blog. I respectfully disagree with most of what you said, but I do like the sound of the last sentence in your comment.
Also, we do make what we believe are positive and constructive comments and suggestions to most of our city leaders. Some of them seem to get a little irritated when we try to address them. Currently we are suggesting the city should consider adressing all of the compliance issues at the pool before opening it to the public this season. I don't see that as being unreasonable or radical.
The fact of the matter is the pool is NOT up to code! Whatever city employee was/is in charge of the pool they should be fired for lack of job performance! It is obvious the employee did not do their job! Which happens to be one of O'beirne's boys! Hmmm, interesting fact! Sack the the bugga!
Anon 11:37 -- What do you mean "one of O'Beirnes boys"?
TO THOSE WHO CRITICIZE THE SO CALLED "HARL" SUPPORTERS: Lois has given you the opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings on this blog. She has not criticized, nor chastised you for your comments. Why do you feel it necessary to degrade those who do not necessarily agree with you? Surely no one, who was in attendance at Wednesday's meeting, should have walked away feeling proud of the way our council treated the professionals they hired. Voice your opinion but in turn let others voice theirs!
Please tell us 11:37 who are the boys that belong to O'Beirne. Maybe that would shed some light on this whole swimming pool issue. Or should I say swimming pools, because remember the issue with the indoor pool. What is it with pools in Peru.
I see this pool issue as another issue those in this blog express as the continual negative wanting to blame the previous mayor. The fact is the previous mayor watched the city tax dollars and kept our city as the best in the valley.
Now the current mayor in office a year and his supporters now not knowing what to do continue to yack about making up the city shortcomings.
If I was the mayor at the Wed meeting, I would have shown some leadership by first stating for everyone to SHUT UP, ask the city attorney to investigae fully the latest law passed and bring back the facts, but in fact I would have asked , WHERE IS THE WATER LEAK ? (Maybe I should run for mayor the next time)
Afterall it was water leakeage that caused the hiring of the investigation.
In regard to the new regulation/law, lets face it, laws are usually passed TO LOOK FORWARD with some retro fixes to be done . That does not mean we should knock down the pool and start over just to meet the latest regulations.
I doubt many of you that the home you live in today DO NOT MEET THE LATEST BUILDING CODES. Does that mean you will knock it down and start over?
The car/truck you drive I doubt meet the latest EPA standards, does that mean you will buy a new vehicle today?
Smoking has been banned in many establishments, have you quit smoking?
Lets hear from the Mayor and the city attorney for input and a cost effective plan ? Not a tax payer subsidy, grant or tax increase.
Since this past year has provided NO leadership , I believe it is the MAIN reason for all of the bickering and it also is why there are many PERU citizens talking about the disgusting actions with a strong desire to vote a change the next time around (the current city council needs administration help/support not critique).VOTE !
To 10:05 - My initial thought was, "Don't waste your time". Then I realized an opportunity to address topics "you" apparently see as relevant. So, point by point here we go.
First - The previous mayor kept certain taxes low by neglecting infrastructure. STREETS, SEWERS, WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS and as we know now he also neglected the HYDRO-ELECTRIC PLANT at Starved Rock as well. It turns out Baker and Prazen refused to allow the "manufacturer" recommended maintenance work. Just another project the new administration is forced to rectify. Joe and Don pushed the Hydro far beyond scheduled maintenance and now it will cost us in excess of $1,000,000 to repair damaged equipment. That's the kind of leadership you had with Baker.
As far as what the aldermen thought they were going to get from Williams Aquatics, I don't know. What I do know is they recieved a detailed initial conditions report which is ongoing and will provide more in terms of water loss and other issues. Whose fault is it if the aldermen don't pay attention to detail.
As far as leadership initiative from Scott Harl.
Appointment of Gary Hylla / Treasurer
Initiated GASB 34 Accounting Method to ensure integrity of city financials.
Initiated sale of Scrap Gen-Sets and had negotiated sale price of approx. $280,000 with interested buyer. Council interference led by Bob Ankiewicz resulted in eventual sale for less than half. (Thanks Bob).
Initiating numerous personnel rules to prohibit the favoritism and nepotism which was rampant in the Baker era and resulted in a poisonous work environment for the honest city employees.
Initiated and strengthened hiring policies to eliminate improper and illegal hiring practices also rampant during the Baker era.
Encouraged and recieved numerous cost-saving initiatives from Department Heads and continues efforts to streamline expenses.
Enlisting Bob Vickrey as development director at a minimal cost to taxpayers with the potential for future growth.
All this and more with little or no actual support from the aldermen.
Finally, and what is most important to many folks in Peru. We have a Mayor who has a single agenda. "Improve Peru" No secondary agendas of providing consulting contracts for friends or directing city business to companies he has a financial interest in. No insider deals with developers at the city's expense.
That's all.
To Steve , 12:51 Pm
What a joke ! Take off the blinders..Get in the trenches
Trenches? As a lowly "resident" of Peru, I bailed head first into that trench some time ago. As a "lowly" resident of Peru, my experience has been that most elected officials in Peru have no regard for those few of us who now occupy those trenches. We know the alternative is to do nothing and that is unacceptable. Feel free to take the last comment if you like. I'm going to move on.
Keep up the good work, Steve and Lois, the word will keep getting out to the public. If the public would attend a council meeting, they would see what is going on. If they don't then its their loss. They shouldn't then make stupid statements, that they know nothing about.
Lois and Steve in the creation of "Peru Town Forum - In The Illinois Valley" you have a mission statement. Congratulations on following this statement, it is thorough, it is fair and it enables thought and expression to all. Thank you for the many, many hours of unpaid time you each have spent in attempting to make Peru a better city to line in.
For every positive, there is always a negative. But keep in mind this is what will again make Peru a strong, balanced city.
Thank you very much - the forum is still a work in progress and we will continue to do our best to present our views and to also publish yours
Tea Party supporters is this what this is all about ? If so, we are not demonstrating a conservative point of view but lets spend baby spend! Wow what a way to be progressive for the city . I am not sure any new business will want to locate in Peru if this continues. There goes the tax base, down down. Citizens pay up !
4:45 PM
You might have an interesting point but I think you might have to explain a little more, I don't understand wht your posting means. Is this in reference to the 15,000 cost of the pool study?
I don't understand. We have no money, everything is falling apart and we should what - sit back and do nothing? Citizens - we need to rebuild. It will take time and yes, money. We may have to put some things on the back burner but eventually we have to start someplace. Look around you - our city has been neglected for too long. If we work together and help support our newly elected officials progress will be made. Our aldermen also have to work together with us and the mayor. It will only work, in my opinion, if we work toward a common goal.
To anon 5:43
For the past 40 years we have been as a city spending money for what has been needed. In other words fiscally responsible.
But in the last year & the current administration, we have spent money as if we were a sailor out on leave or as if tommorrow will not come,i.e. trucks,lawnmowers,fences,summer help,etc etc. Then blame the "broke" status of the city on the past adminstration.
The citizens get involved talking about issues that they themselves would not do if they were the elected official in charge. All of the noise causes distractions of folks saying one thing but given the chance would do something else.
We need to suggest to those would have voted for a change , for them in fact to look into the mirror and praise the lord on HOW GOOD THEY REALLY HAVE IT and quit complaining for the grass is always greener on the otherside until you have to cut it .
I repeat something that has been said numerous times.
Mayor Harl has not cast one vote for anything since he was elected. All purchases were voted on only by the Aldermen who are All men who have been on the Council for at a minimum of 8 years. The other recently elected person Dave Bartley does not vote on decisions and Treasuer Hylla was app0ointed and does not vote.
Legally we have one alderman who should not be on the Council as he ran for and was elected Treasurer in the past election.
Lois not only a minimum of eight years but I bet if you added all the years these aldermen have been elected you would be close to 100 years. How in the world are they not responsible for what is going on in this city right now. They have been in those seats voting on every issue, voting to spend money, voting to open the pool, voting to keep the indoor pool open for a few that used it, voting to replace fences, voting to buy new trucks and on and on. They are the ones voting unanimously! The vote never gets to the mayor, but I would like him to let the people know how he stands on issues even when he does not get to vote.
to Anon 12:07
That is my point, the mayor even though we can stand up and say he does not have a say in the vote, in my opinion that is a lot of bunk. He is the mayor and should have a say and give direction at the meetings. Leadership is what I am speaking of at the meetings. (nothing gets printed in the News trib, why?)
Instead in my view , he is very quite and says well its the aldermen, nothing I can do.
If that is true why are we paying the salary, anybody can do that.
7:36 PM
You make a very valid point
To 8:09 a.m. - I agree that every penny counts when it comes to spending decisions. The items you mention are hardly spending like a sailor on leave. Obviously someone recommended these items be purchased and the council acted on it. As far as summer help is concerned. You can't possibly be paying attention. This is the first year in decades that summer help has been down-sized. This is at the instruction of Mayor Harl, nobody else. Nobody else has called for cutting back on unnecessary spending. Many times in open meeting Harl has told the aldermen, "We have to tighten our belts." "We have to get lean".
Ther is no comparison between the previous administration and the cuurent when it comes to unnecessary spending. Look at the history, Its right in front of you.
Mirror Building. 2.4 million. Joe Prazen / more than $1 million over eight years. For what? Excessive salaries and unlimited overtime for the chosen employees. Most of it never actually worked. (Falsified time-sheets with approval of Dept. Heads). New Municipal Building. $4 million plus. Inflated TEST contracts going un-checked for twenty plus years. Pay attention and don't try to distort the facts. I will call you and anybody else on it every time.
Steve - Do we know how much summer help has been employed this year and how much last year? Do we also know the salary cap for them?
To Steve 9:17am
It is obvious you are bias and support Mayor Harl.
I am a supporter of the citizens of Peru.
We need leadership not silence. We are currently getting a raw deal no matter what you say to support what is going on.
As far as city employees getting raises, this year all of the surrounding cities are experiencing the same economic times with new mayors, and yet ALL CITY FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITITIES AROUND US HAVE GIVEN RAISES. I wonder how can that happen if Peru is so good ?
It is time to take off the rose colored glasses and smell the roses..
I'm not Steve but want to answer your question in a few easy words.
No other city in the Illinois Valley is in debt for 45 MILLION DOLLARS.
Steve - Who is responsible for making sure that the TEST contracts are not being inflated as we speak?
Every citizen should read comment from Lois and understand all 45 Million Dollars of Debt was approved by our current 8 Alderman.
Those are 45 Million reasons there is so much tension when you mention the expense of the POOL.
Failure to manage money results in anger and frustration. This is just the beginning.
Wait till the Alderman "need" to borrow more money and vote again on adding to our Debt.
Pool issue to Anon 4:39
In the city of Peru , This is the second "pool" to get scrutiny this past year, one indoor and one outdoor.
Look what happen to the indoor when it was disputed!
Maybe to save us all a lot of grief and talking points we should for the sake of the Kids , "LETS CLOSE PERU POOL for good" and use the YMCA (join membership) or La Salle, Oglesby, or Spring Valley.
What do you say is that leadership?
My Answer to 6:52 pm
Everyone who votes to close the Pool is showing Leadership.
It is unfortunate all 8 Alderman voted to renew the Indoor Pool lease.
That was a terrible choice.
In response to the questions asked regarding summer help and the TEST contracts. I will have a post in the near future with the facts and figures of the summer help. I will provide a list of those hired as well.
Regarding the TEST contracts. It's sad to have to say that Jack O'Beirne, as chair of the Water and Sewer committee should be responsible for protecting the city's interests in terms of contract details and negotiations with contractors. There is no doubt that he has failed miserably in protecting the city's interests. I will have many more detailed posts regarding TEST.
The alderman vote to keep the indoor pool lease was a GOOD THING FOR THE CITY OF PERU.
Thank God for the CORRECT VOTE.
I wonder what really happened with the building for the indoor pool. Is there any insider information that is not made public ? Someone must know what happen ?
Keep up the good work aldermen..
If the aldermen vote to open the Peru pool this summer, that means they don't care about the safety of the children. If they open it and someone gets hurt, it should be their responsibility and no one else. Maybe they should take out an insurance policy, to cover their you know what. A----. I just can't believe any adult with an ounce of intelligence would vote to open the pool.
I thought they were unable to determine the cause of the fire. Surely, ANON 9:19, you are not insinuating suspicious activity with regards to this issue?
To Anon 12:04pm
Look in a mirror. we can not have a facility operate for years without incident and then suddenly that facility come under huge attacks and in a moment it is gone?
I thought Chicago was bad with AL !
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