Downloads | Committee Meeting Minutes | MINUTES

Downloads | Committee Meeting Minutes | MINUTES

I thought perhaps many people here in Peru are not aware how easy it is to review minutes from committees and council meetings all easily accessible through the city of Peru web site. Take a few minutes to see what your aldermen are discussing.

Rezin to keep Peru senate office open - My Web Times

Rezin to keep Peru senate office open - My Web Times

OUR VIEW: Grants are good -- but then what? - My Web Times

OUR VIEW: Grants are good -- but then what? - My Web Times

Our aldermen specifically Ald. Ankiewicz is very much in favor of this proposed bus to bring shoppers to Peru if they wish to shop. I do agree with the article that we need to make sure it is a lasting project and not just while grant money is available. If you are using Firefox as a browser, you will receive a warning so either use a different browser or choose to ignore. After I was warned about this possiblity and finding out it was only Firefox with the problem, I choose to ignore.

"Great Expectations" for 2011 and beyond

With every new year comes a sense of opportunity to improve ourselves and our community. 2011 brings with it an extra sense of urgency and uncertainty about the economy, jobs, taxes and of course politics in general. Right now in Peru there seem to be three seperate and distinct "schools of thought" when the discussion turns to local politics. The first group, of which I identify most with, are convinced the city of Peru needs an infusion of new faces and ideas on its city council. We read the City Treasurer's reports and we understand his comments regarding the deficit spending that has been the standard operating procedure for many years in Peru. We realize the seriousness of the city's financial state and we are amazed that the current aldermen continue to deny any responsibility for it. We prescribe to be optimistic in the new year, a new perspective, new energy, and new possibilities for the future. All in all a pretty optimistic view looking forward. The second group consisits of individuals who are convinced that there is absolutely no need for a "changing of the guard" on our city council and the current aldermen are doing a fine job. They believe there is no room for improvement in the way our city does business and they are content to continue to think "inside the box". And furthermore, this notion that the city of Peru is in serious financial distress has been overstated by those of us in the first group. These folks see no reason for all the clamoring for reform in Peru and they dismiss those who disagree with them or hold them accountable as "Troublemakers". In fact, shortly before the Mayoral election of 2009 Alderman Jack O'Beirne was so upset with me for reporting to the Illinois Attorney General's office that O'Beirne and Mayor Baker had knowingly violated the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of illegally negotiating a contract with TEST, Inc. that my pal Jack cried out in open meeting, "We got some real troublemakers out there like you Mr. Weberski". Jack did us all proud that night. The AG's office conducted an investigation which determined that O'Beirne and Baker had knowingly violated the OMA and a letter of reprimand was issued to the city. Finally, there are those citizens of Peru who have no interest whatsoever in the goings on at city hall. Chances are they have never paid much attention and have never bothered to vote in any election. It's likely they have never even been registered to vote. In fact, as I was gathering signatures for my petition of candidacy for alderman in the 4th Ward there were more than a few residents that asked me who the alderman was in their ward. These folks are totally dis-connected from the very political process that will ultimately have a tremendous effect on the quality of life they experience in Peru. I think we can be optimistic about the future of Peru. The economy is improving, albeit slowly, and more and more people seem to be paying attention and getting involved. Those of us who demand a voice in determining the future of our city understand that we will be labeled "troublemakers" by the guardians of the past. We find ourselves in good company with others in our country's history who were called the same.

Two Illinois Towns Are Set to Share Fire Chief | Firehouse.com

Two Illinois Towns Are Set to Share Fire Chief | Firehouse.com Neighboring cities of Sterling and Rock Falls working together. This will be something to watch.

Greetings

On this eve before Christmas, I would to wish to thank all you who take the time to visit the Peru Town Forum and sometimes express your opinions or tell us what you would like to see written about. Thanks also if you just come by to read posts and comments.

A Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all. Please be careful walking or driving in all this "White Christmas"

We Want a Govenment That Works For Us

This was written sometime during the administration of Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne (1979-1983) but it seems that a cure has not been found for this disease as some of our elected officials on the Peru City Council seem to have the same symptoms.

Department Information

Department Information

Fire Department - EMS - City of Kewanee, Illinois

Fire Department - EMS - City of Kewanee, Illinois

bcrnews.com | St. Bede for seniors Assisted Living Village

bcrnews.com | St. Bede for seniors

Peru EMS Service Oct 2010 N.T.

Article has been removed at the request of the News Tribune LaSalle IL........ Sorry about the wrinkles and creases but as I was going through old papers I found this and wondered if it answered some of the questions people have.

Tuesday Dec. 21 Lotto for Ballot Placement

Tomorrow at 9 AM, there will be a lotto to determine placement on the April 5 ballot. This is for the election for aldermen in all 4 wards.

PVAS Peru Volunteer Ambulance Persists

Ald. Mikyska acknowledged that we do not know what will happen to the ambulance service when LaSalle goes on their own March 1. As it stands now with the income from LaSalle, he said the profit was 17,000. perupages.blogspot.com comes up with different figures.

I chose to ask several questions during the public comment part of the City Council meeting. I directed my questions to Ald. Mikyska and after informing him that I had read the bylaws of the service, I asked who wrote them. The City Atty. took over the question saying it is possible that he had written them. Those of you who have read the bylaws are having a hard time believing that as am I.

Question 2. Is the $4000 per mo. from Peru to PVAS, a donation, a subsidy or a contractual obligation? No definite answer was given.

On Monday evening an ordinance will be passed providing the continued funding for another year unless someone objects and I can't see that happening.

Should the aldermen be looking at a different structure? Most definitely and unless they do, we may find ourselves asking LaSalle if they will also serve Peru? Irony, yes, but it is possible.

OUR VIEW: Working hard for a better Streator - My Web Times

OUR VIEW: Working hard for a better Streator - My Web Times> ANOTHER STORY AND ANOTHER PARC GRANT REQUEST

Peru Election Process Moving Along

Monday was the day for aldermanic petitions to be turned in to the Peru City Clerk. Actually they allow one more week for those who did not get their petition turned in yesterday. As it stands today the April 5 election ballot will look like this:

Ward 1
Incumbent Jamey Mertel (8yrs) will be opposed by Mike Radtke

Ward 2
No incumbent - Jack O'Beirne retires after 24 years
Those running for this seat: are Rodney Perez, Bob Borostowski, Jim Hurst

Ward 3: Incumbent Dave Waldorf (4 years) opposed by Mary Landsiedel
and Joe Witczak

Ward 4: Incumbent Dave Potthoff (20 years) will be opposed by Steve Weberski

Christmas Decorations in Peru

Friends have told me that they think the Christmas decorations in Peru are "pretty pathetic". Tonight we happened to drive through the down town and yes I didn't see much that looked very nice.,

I know that the Peru CSO puts up the decorations with the assist of the city electric trucks but my question is who is responsible for buying them. How old are the current ones and how often should they be replaced. If the CSO does pay for the purchase of Christmas decorations, I have a suggestion for them. Instead of blowing up so much money with fireworks on July 4, save some of the money and purchase new lights for Route 6 business districts.

July fireworks are gone in the blink of an eye but the Christmas decorations are up for at least 6 weeks. Many homes in Peru look fantastic with their brilliant light displays but downtown is another story. We drove west on 7th street and the homes toward the west end look super nice. I know there is not a lot of spare money but surely we can do better than this years Christmas display.

If you know of a particular street in Peru that looks very Christmasy, please share with us.

News Tribune - News - NCI - Dimmick school superintendent weighs in on Peru TIF talks

News Tribune - News - NCI - Dimmick school superintendent weighs in on Peru TIF talks

Peru and What About the New Commercial TIF

PERU CHRISTMAS Parade Years Past

I think maybe this was the 1940's and the pictures were taken on Fourth Street between Calhoun and Pike Street.

I Don't Understand PVAS

At tonight's city council meeting the Mayor brought up PVAS and that we needed to look into and get a financial report on the ambulance service since it has been at least 6 years since it was done.

Now we all have to understand the very strange manner in which the ambulance service is run since the Board of Directors have total control and if needed they can appoint a new member of the Board without any need to get approval of anyone else. That will happen when one of them retires from office. At present the Board consists of the "old guard" of Ankiewicz, Mikyska and O'Bierne and since O'Bierne will be leaving the city council in April when a new alderman will be elected from his ward, they will need to select a friend of theirs in his place. This new member does not need to bring anything to the Board other than to be an elected official, no other qualifications needed and of course to be in agreement with those already there.

OK so now the Mayor is asking for a financial report and I could almost see the hairs on Ald. Ankiewicz's head stand up or perhaps it was on his chin. How dare the Mayor ask for that information even though the city gives the ambulance service 4000 per month with no questions asked. This very strange setup was established during the tenure of former Mayor Baker and in MHO, was done to keep a strangle hold on information to the public. Instead of looking for a number of well qualified people in the financial and medical community, it became a buddy system where no information other than the monthly number of calls from Peru LaSalle Peru Twp and Dimmick was made public.

If anything needs a breath of fresh air, it is PVAS.

Private Party or Public Gathering, Does It Need to Be Posted

10:59 AM Where ever you are getting your information, they are lying to you. The party was NOT paid for by the city, the city did not sponsor a Christmas Party this year for their employees.

My sources tell me that the PW Dept. paid for their own Christmas Party which they have every right to do. They also have a right to gather in a place of their choosing without a public expose'

Has being employed by the city now put the workers into a position that even when not working they must only meet behind locked doors? The Christmas Season is often celebrated with "good cheer" when people get together and should this have been any different. Last year we complained that the city did not need to spend large sums of money to entertain their well paid employees, so it looks like this year they took the citizens disapproval into consideration and did not sponsor the annual Christmas Party but that did not and should not prevent employees from paying for their own party.

On the flip side, there have been complaints about city workers not working as well as they should or as hard as they should and if you have a complaint please lodge it with the proper authorities, The Mayor of Peru. Please keep in mind they he may not know or see what you do, so let him know. But remember to disassociate the Christmas Party with the other unrelated work ethics problems. These are not new problems but ones that have existed for many years and old habits die hard.

In this situation (the public works Christmas Party) personal dislike by a few individuals has led to hatred and an attempt to disparage the Mayor in any way possible and particularly his membership in Union 150. I would like think that most people in Peru think for themselves and will not be influenced by hearsay and gossip.

Cities will Celebrate with Santa Tomorrow

Just as a reminder tomorrow Peru will have a Christmas Parade through town, starting at HB Cabinet (old Coke plant) and will go to the Fire Station. Starting time is 1:30PM If you can't make that, you might check the News Trib. for the schedule of events La Salle is planning including a parade with a walking Santa Claus and also some indoor activities.

Why are the Peru Police and Firemen pensions underfunded?

City Treasurer Gary Hylla provided the city council with another "wake-up call" at last nights meeting. Hylla informed the council of the poor financial condition of the Peru Police and Peru Firemen pensions. Fortunately the Firemens pension fund appears in better shape than the Police fund, but both remain underfunded according to figures provided by the Illinois Department of Insurance, which is the agency assigned to oversee government retirement funds in the state. Experts in the field agree that a fund can be considered properly funded when its assets are at least 80% of its obligations. At present the Peru Firemen pension is funded at 75.53% and the Peru Police pension is funded at just 45.63%. I had just read an in-depth story in last Sunday's Chicago Tribune about this issue titled "Suburbs face their own pension mess". Check it out at in the Tribune Watchdog section at http://www.chicagotribune.com/. The Tribune story points out that numerous suburban city leaders' failures and mis-steps have collectively helped create another staggering layer of crisis beyond the better-known problems that have the state in a stranglehold. And last night Treasurer Hylla confirmed that Peru's elected officials have failed in their resposibility to properly levy taxes and transfer those dollars to the pension funds, therefore pushing more and more debt to the future. Essentially, kicking the can down the road. Nor have they worked to lessen the burden on the funds by adjusting plan benefits, employee contributions, or by simply not hiring new employees. Sadly, the practice of pushing debt forward by elected officials is all to familiar in the city of Peru and this is just one more example of that. Last night Alderman Dave Potthoff described the requirement to contribute to these funds as an "Unfunded Mandate" from the state of Illinois. It is in fact an "Unfunded Obligation" from Peru's elected officials. One person interviewed for the Tribune story put it best by saying, "When you have politicians with this discretionary authority, where they don't have to pay, that's a real problem. They gave themselves a huge tax break during the best economic times we had." City officials in Peru have been shorting these funds and others for too long. All the while claiming the most prosperity and lowest taxes around. That's easy enough. Don't fund your Library and don't fund your employee pensions. Not exactly a sound long-term financial strategy. Now the hens have come home to roost and there are even more bills past due than we thought.