"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.