“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

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

What is the Meaning of To Hire?

In Mondays News Tribune there was  an article titled "Area economic development professionals discuss activities", area economic directors gathered to discuss and share information.

Present were:
Princeton city manager Jeff Fiegenschuh and planning and zoning administrator Pete Nelson who gave information on city development.
Spring Valley sent Deb Ladgenski their economic development director.
LaSalle sent their economic development director Don Alesky
Oglesby sent Clinard, the economic devlopment/tourism coordinator for Oglesby
Streator sent a member of their area Chamber of Commerce and the executive director of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boyd Palmer was present.

And Peru sent the Mayor's secretary who told the meeting that Peru "recently hired Bob Vickrey as Director of Community Development and his duties will include both community and economic development for the city".
The word "to hire" according to the dictionary is "To engage the services of (a person) for a fee; employ" or according to Blacks Law Dictionary "to arrange for the labor or services of another for a stipulated compensation"
So did Peru hire Mr Vickrey or not?

We have been informed that this was a volunteer position but this is the second time he has been referred to as hired. The first time was the initial article in the News Trib. and now by someone representing the city of Peru. I realize he is being budgeted for 24,000 in the new city budget for travel and other expenses but supposedly no salary.

So why are we again being told that he is being hired?
Is this an error by the News Trib?
How can we hire anyone when Peru has a hiring freeze?

Mean what you say and say what you mean and give us accurate information from a reliable person.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

If we hired, appointed, nominated, whatever - why wasn't he the one representing Peru at this professional meeting? It surely does not make Peru look like the Leader of the Valley when they send a secretary. I agree with you Lois - someone tell us the truth.

Anonymous said...

Since the paper listed this as a meeting of professionals can we assume the Peru's secretary is a professional????

Anonymous said...

Anon: 9:59, are you kidding me!

Anonymous said...

As Director of Community Development, Bob Vickrey would seem the logical person to attend this kind of meeting. The above named attendees go with knowledge and experience in city government. Mayor Harl,cannot always attend these day meetings, but his appointees (and there could be several) should be the best suited for the job at hand. No offense to Heidi but has she ever participated in this kind of forum?