Monday, August 30, 2010
Now we know, it's all about "Image"
I have heard about the importance of "image" for Hollywood mega-stars and professional athletes. The negative impact of a domestic violence charge against Mel Gibson will certainly have an affect on the box-office and video sales. Charges of lying to Congress about steroid and human growth hormone abuse by Roger Clemens will likely destroy his image as one of the best pitchers in the history of the game. And rightfully so.
Last week we were informed by 2nd Ward aldermen Joe Mikyska and Jack O'Beirne that the "image" of Peru depends on whether or not we build a new municipal pool. So there you have it. It's all about image. Using 2nd Ward logic, all we have to do is spend three or four million on a fancy new pool and the image of Peru will be saved. We will be overflowing with image. We will have so much image we might be able to market and sell the excess image to surrounding communities via an image auction. So we've got that going for us. Which is nice.
Please keep in mind Joe Mikyska as chairman of the Finance Committee is suggesting a new pool is a "Priority" for Peru. I'm not kidding, Chairman, Finance, for real. Common sense tells me that a new municipal pool in Peru should not even make the top five priority issues at present.
A new pool will be great someday, but not now. It can wait.
It is clear that Mikyska and O'Beirne are unable to disconnect themselves from the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of the Baker era that relied heavily on creating "image" over reality.
The image of "Leader of the Valley" which only highlighted the arrogance of those elected officials who bored us bellowing it and only served to alienate our neighbors. They were in fact "The Cheater of the Valley".
The image of "financial health" and "prosperity" which we now know was essentially a hoax in which at least some of the aldermen themselves were unwary victims. Which is no excuse for not knowing.
What we need more than anything right now is elected officials who are able to use common sense judgement. Image don't pay the bills. We do! Move on, there's real work to do.
Note to Aldermen: Make sensible decisions based on current factual financial conditions and you might just create an image of a city council with a clue.
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16 comments:
I disagree with to your analysis of the aldermen to Mr Baker. What I do agree with is that the need or priority of a swimming pool is a MISGUIDED thought. We cannot afford to spend the money.
I have heard that La Salle has spent between $9-10 Million dollars for a restoration of the pool and I question anyone in the city of peru who says that we would spend $4 million dollars to build a NEW pool. How can that math add up ?
I believe what we have is the aldermen talking and a current Mayor who is on their side and cannot show any leadership for the people of peru who had voted for him.
I have CHANGED my mind and support for the Mayor Harl. He does not deserve my vote again or next time. bye ! bye !
If the Mayor would say NO and stick with it we would not have this continuing discussion for a pool we can ill afford.
4:48PM
Since the Mayor has never said we should build a pool, why do you believe he is on the side of the aldermen who do wish to build? Just curious how you make that connection since the 2 outspoken aldermen Mikyska and O'Beirne are not exactly Harl supporters on anything.
"They were in fact "The Cheater of the Valley""??? Are you kidding me? Still looking for a smoking gun" When are you guys going to let Baker enjoy the retirement? Was he perfect? No! Did he do a lot of great things during his time? Yes! Did he spend Peru into bankruptcy? Not even close. This recession this country (and Peru) has gone through was not Don Baker's fault because he built a new city hall. Look at the General Motors and Chrysler's of the world! Look at Wall Street and all the mistakes the banking industry did with all the "shaky" loans approved. Our economy has always been cyclical and we enjoy good times as well as bad. Sales taxes are down because maybe, just maybe we relied on car sales too long. Maybe we need to attracted more industries to attract more jobs which will create more sales tax! I suggest we all take off our rose-colored glasses, remove the blinders and think outside "the box'!! Stop dwelling on what was, what should have been or what you think we need. If you have all the right answers, get on the ballot and get elected and bring responsible government to Peru. By the way, Mikyska and O'Beirne might not have voted for Mayor Harl, but they do respect him and all of them have the same goal in mind, they just don't agree how to get there.
Welcome to Politics 101 and welcome to Democracy
9:28 p.m. - No I'm not kidding and the real question is....when will Baker realize he is retired? I never said his administration spent Peru into bankruptcy. I will however, continue to say they came pretty damn close. The complete lack of "checks and balances" allowed by these eight aldermen during the Baker era opened the door to "free for all" wasteful spending and corruption. And that is very much worth remembering.
4:48 p.m. - If you actually believe it plausible that LaSalle could have spent $9 to $10 million on its pool renovation maybe it is in the public interest that your voting priviledges be revoked.
Pay attention to who is trying to resurrect the pool issue, please!
Steve....for over a year now, we have heard "claims" about corruption. Corruption is a definable offense, not speculative! Where is that smoking gun?
Perhaps the debt left to us is the smoking gun and the burden left to the citizens.
The fact is that La Salle spenat $9-10 Million dollars to renovate there pool.
FACT NOT FICTION.
Period. Steve.
So what size pool do you think you could get for $4 million dollars in peru. A kiddie pool ?????
Wal-Mart vs. The Morons
1. Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart every hour of every day.
2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!
3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year.
4. Wal-Mart is bigger in sales ($415B) than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined ($327B).
5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, is the world's largest private employer, and most speak English.
6. Wal-Mart has the largest sales of any company in the history of the world.
7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger and Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only fifteen years.
8. During this same period, 31 big supermarket chains sought bankruptcy.
9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world.
10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had five years ago.
11. This year 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at Wal-Mart stores. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 Billion.)
12. 90% of all Americans live within fifteen miles of a Wal-Mart.
You may think that I am complaining, but I am really laying the ground work for suggesting that MAYBE we should hire the guys who run Wal-Mart to fix the economy. This should be read and understood by all Americans Democrats, Republicans, EVERYONE!! To President Obama and all 535 voting members of the Legislature, It is now official -- You are ALL corrupt morons:
a. The U.S. Postal Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.
b. Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.
c. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.
d. War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more.
e. Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.
f. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.
g. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.
You have FAILED in every major "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars. AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?? MAYBE WE OUGHT TO KICK YOUR EGG-HEAD BUDDY BUMS OUT OF OFFICE AND HIRE WAL-MART TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT??? WAL-MART SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS.......WHY DON'T YOU GUYS JUST ADMIT IT’S WAY BEYOND YOUR PAY GRADE, AND QUIT?
so the problem is all across the country...not just here in the Illinois Valley??
Lois...the debt was a cause of a NATIONAL/International recession that not very many people saw coming. the debt was caused by greedy bankers who approved and resold the mortgages to people who should have NEVER been allowed to apply in the first place. the debt was caused by credit card companies approving credit for 20 year old college students and 75 year old retired disabled unemployed citizens!!! please stop with saying the city government did this and did that and could have prevented whatever debt you speak of. be positive...we will be fine...take a deep breath and lets plan on tomorrow since that's all we have!
running any city is EXACTLY like running any business. you need a dollar profit at the end of the year so you can be in business the next year. if you are losing money, raise the price of your goods and or services and find ways to cut cost. do we need to cut spending, yes! do we need to raise prices, yes! do we need to "market" our product better, yes!
Lois,
Government debt, while usually not good, is not a crime. It is also necessary at times. Agree or disagree with the past, IT IS OVER! The issue is where are we going from here??? We need leadership and a PLAN!
2:59PM
Yes I believe they were called NINJA loans..no income, no job or assets. Not sure what type of fantasy land those bankers were living in. Hoping tomorrow will bring some fiscally responsible people into government.
To 2:04 p.m. - Government corruption comes in many forms and degrees. If you have read this blog since its inception you should have read at least a couple examples of what I believe anyone would agree qualifies as "Corruption". I have explained in detail about the use of city personnel and resources for demolition and improvements at the privately owned Westclox property. Owned at the time by Don Baker, Joe Prazen and a group of other investors. The federal government indicted and charged the mayor of East Chicago Indiana earlier this year for instructing city employees to perform renovations and to purchase and install appliances for a rental property owned by the mayor and his daughter. The federal corruption charge is listed as "Theft of Services" and is quite serious.
There is no doubt in my mind that the same laws were broken in Peru during the renovation of Westclox. The fact that nobody in Peru who knew what was going on did nothing to stop it or even discourage it is probably the worst indictment of every city official at that time. Although that gun stopped smoking long ago, it does not change the fact that it happened. There were many other instances of city employees working at the residences of "connected" individuals while on the city payroll. You Asked!
Steve,
The internet laws have changed recently and you better be able to back up your statements with facts otherwise there is a good chance you will be sued for liable.
Sincerely,
Bob Baker
To Steve 8:12am
Here you go again. Corruption is a serious issue. Bring the fact forward and press charges otherwise SHUT UP.
I am tired of your constantly bringing up the past and trying to accuse Mr Baker of wrong doing.
I am watching VERY CLOSELY what Mayor Harl is doing because he is walking on a very fine line. I wonder if you will accuse him of wrong doing or just go along with your buddy?
Lets see if you publish this so as to let others of this blog see this article, if not again, you only want to be onesided.
To 3:40 p.m. - Anyone can sue anyone for any reason at anytime. That's just the way it is. I'm well aware of the fact that the former mayor has the unlimited financial resources to aggressively pursue a "Libel" (not liable) action against me or anyone else he chooses. Yes, he could bankrupt me if he chose to do so. Believe me when I tell you I am very aware of that. Your comment implies that I am knowingly making false statements. I am not!
7:53 a.m. - I could care less what you are tired of and it's too late to pursue charges or I would be all over it. If someone on this blog disputes the statements I make I am likely to respond with the details of what I know. If you don't want to hear it, TOO BAD!
I encourage you to watch Mayor Harl and every other elected official, VERY CLOSELY and good luck with that.
I would not hesitate to point out improper or illegal behavior by Harl or anyone else associated with the city of PERU.
Including you.
P.S. You shut up!
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