These are my personal thoughts on how Peru has improved under Mayor Harl.
1. Very important that we now have a qualified City Treasurer who is giving us the financial data that we as citizens need to know. Gary Hylla was appointed by Mayor Harl when Jack O'Beirne backed out of the position of Treasurer for which he was elected. O'Beirne at least knew he was unqualified and had only ran to be Treausrer in name only and with the encouragement of Mayor Baker and Judy Heiser who would have continued to handle the finances and O'Beirne would no nothing if the residents of Peru had not elected Scott Harl.
2. All committee meetings are now held in accordance with the Open Meetings Act and held at the City Hall. Anyone can sit in on a meeting if they so choose. A big change for Water and Sewer that used to meet at the Test offices. No more private meetings for official business. As far as unofficial meetings at local businesses after council meetings, that is up to you to judge.
3. Some will disagree with this but the swimming pool. We finally found out the deplorable condition of the Peru swimming pool This was due to the exploration of the issue and was brought to the forefront by Mayor Harl.
4. He has cut expenditures of donating through every cause that came through the door. Very few are now approved.
5.We have learned how our infrastructure has deteriorated in previous years with no maintenance program in place and we have also learned we are over 40 million in debt and have few dollars to repair them.
6. We have also learned that the current city aldermen never had any intention of being cooperative and as many have noted they many times disagree just to prove how disagreeable they are.
7. Our relations with LaSalle and other surrounding communities are the best they have been in years. Our Mayor does not have the arrogance to believe we should be the leader of the valley but a part of the Illinois Valley working together with the other cities.
At this point, you might be thinking "well what has Mayor Harl done" I will point out to you the things he wanted done and was rebuffed by the council who must agree to get it done.
To cut costs, the mayor wanted to reduce the number city council meetings to twice a month just like most cities around us. THE COUNCIL SAID NO
The Mayor wanted to start meetings earlier to allow more residents to attend. THE COUNCIL SAID NO
The Mayor wanted to hire a City Engineer. THE COUNCIL SAID NO.
The Mayor wanted to televise city council meetings. THE COUNCIL WAS NOT INTERESTED.
21 comments:
Lois, Thanks, you did a great job, with knowing what the Mayor has tried to do. If more people would attend a meeting they would see for themselves, what goes on. Thanks again g
Thanks Lois for your list . However I have to disappoint you but NONE OF THESE ITEMS ON THE LIST HAVE MADE PERU A BETTER CITY TODAY VERSUS 2 YEARS AGO.
Nothing you have printed will get this Mayor Harl re-elected. It all shows how the city has fallen and will go further before the next election.
Lets see if others can identify with the issues you state as BETTER FOR THE CITY TODAY?
4:46PM
You dislike the current Mayor so much and for your own personal reasons. Many of us are happy to see a much more open government and we will continue to work so that the Mayor will have people who are concerned with the city on the council and willing to work for the people of this town. And it will happen.
I knew when I wrote this posting (actually told my friends) that you were baiting me but I was willing to put my thoughts out there for you to tear apart. And even though you don't sign your name, I do know who you are.
You are not disappointing me, because I expected just about exactly what you said. It was to be expected!
ANON 4:46 Why don't you leave the Mayor alone and concentrate your energies on getting some new faces on our council. You do realize, I assume, that this is not a mayoral election year? You also do realize, once again I assume, that the alderman vote and finalize all decisions regarding the city of Peru? If you are not happy (obviously you're not) with the way things are going do something to change them. The first step would be to get some new faces and fresher ideas coming from our council. Badgering Lois, criticizing the Mayor, and cutting down certain city employees does not make for a better Peru. Why don't you concentrate all your negative energy toward a positive solution to all the problems handed down to our current administration? If you think you have solutions to some of the problems go to a council meeting and present them or call your alderman and have him present your ideas. You claim you want a better Peru but it sounds to me like you just want to criticize, badger, and express your dislike for certain individuals!!! This makes no one and nothing better.
Good job Lois. A lot of good points from your post. But go one step further and elaborate on how Mayor Harl's accomplishments have helped the people of Peru's pocketbook. That is the bottomline, isn't it? Be it taxes, utility rates, infrastructure, etc. Keep up the good work!
9:27PM
I will work on that aspect but it won't be right now or tomorrow, but the information will come.
Lois, your grasping at straws. Lets take a closer look. Read the newspaper. One day we have a city on the verge of bankruptcy, the next day the city has a balanced budget. One day we need a tax increase, the next week we are doing fine. The basis of democracy is discussion and to say that the aldermen have not been on the same team as Harl means at times they have different options. That is productive. I also read the minutes of the council meetings and never was a vote taken for reducing the number of meetings, TV, City Engineer or time change. Personally I would cringe at the thought that the council would limit meetings, that would give more responsibility to the Mayor. Maybe with more experience this will fall in place. The Mayor has the job of spending and employee supervision on a daily basis, you judge and decide if that is working. Remember the city has at least 5 unions in place. Will the city be able to afford the agreements in future years? That really is the accomplishment of this Mayor and that is how he will be judged. Most government entities have downsized or have forced layoffs. The City offers early retirement and has not had a layoff in 40 years! Finances must be going well. Getting along with other cities, is it really that big of a deal today? Because they go fishing together or chat? The ambulance cooperation was not a shining example of togetherness. You can blame the board or whoever but the bottom line is we need a leader to bring opportunities together. I have seen council members from both cities at dinner together for years. Its old thoughts that believe we have two divided cities! I am sure that what Alderman O'Beirne did was the best for the city. With Baker, Hueser gone he most probably noticed that the City needed a professional banker and without any experience returning it would be difficult for Peru. I give him credit for checking his ego at the door and doing the right thing. It was his choice. A working organization like Peru needs experience, different points of view, conservatives, liberals, young, old, finance experts, visionaries, past and the future. I appreciate your thoughts and your ideas.
10:13AM
Just 3 brief rebuttals. City Council minutes are only an outline of what takes place, if you are not present, you miss much of what actually happens. And the same for the N.T. coverage, the reporter is there to write on the major topics only and the reason we need video coverage of Council Meetings. I stand by my comments.
Do not forget the sign Mayor Baker had put on Shooting Park Road, almost on the LaSalle Peru boundary line. The sign which read Peru Leader of the Valley is hardly a cooperative effort with our sister city of LaSalle. It was more like a finger in their eye.
Your effort to protect Ald. O'Beirne is pretty pathetic and an attempt to cover up the real post election problem.
But dissent is the cornerstone of Democracy, so I am glad you made the posting.
To 10:13am;
Don't listen to Lois. She is very biased against the previous mayor and obviously the aldermen.
She does not know what she is talking about, so I would say lets forgive her.
However saying that I agree with your comments and the next two elections we need to guard against all of those (like Lois and Steve) who would like to get in there two cents for democracy and ruin our city of Peru more then what has happened in the past two years. Frankly will not be able to afford another term of this lack of fiscal responsibility and power grabbing.
We just have to stand up for the city of Peru and vote AGAINST THE BRAIN WASHING THAT WILL BE GOING ON VERY SOON. We know what is good for the city, we have seen the goodness happen the past 40 years, i.e. growth, jobs, low taxes, lowest rates in the valley, a library that worked with less, and a pool that opened each and evert year.
These are just to mention a few of the accomplishments that cannot be compared with todays Mayor and his lack of accomplishments. today we have higher taxes, higher rates, closed pool, library that cannot operate but with higher finances, business shutting down or going out of the area, For Sale signs all over town .
I can't wait to see how this blog will sugar coat these failures into accomplishments!
11:28PM
Sorry your comment has no credibility at all unless you sign your name as Steve and I do. We believe whole heartedly what we espouse and are proud to sign our name on our postings. I do notice that everyone who likes to bash Mayor Harl and try to protect the alderman comes in as anon. Sorry to see that you are not proud of what you believe but continue to hide behind the curtain of anonymous.
To 10:13 a.m. - Very interesting desription of some things that we should break down a little bit. Where are you hearing or reading that one day the city is in financial distress and the next day you hear it's not? Are you getting your info from Jack O'Beirne? You have not seen votes on the issues you mention because it takes an alderman to move for a motion, then another alderman to second that motioin and "then" a roll call vote. Get it? That means these aldermen do not want to discuss or even seriously consider those issues. Next, can you please list the five unions? Any order will do. Finally, the explanation you gave for why O'Beirne decided not to fulfill the duties of the office for which he was elected brought tears to my eyes. That sometimes happens when I laugh hysterically. I'm going to tell you right now why O'Beirne declined the job and you need to pay attention. Jack O'Beirne did not take the job because Jack O'Beirne could not do the job and he wanted to take a city salary while providing "Nothing" in return, "Nothing". How dare you try to heap praise on a man whose real intention was to fleece this city even more than he currently does as an alderman. Also, if O'Beirne checks his ego at the door it's only because it's too damn huge to get it through the door. You will not be allowed to apologize for Jack O'Beirne on this blog. Sorry.
To 11:28 - You grow more paranoid with each and every comment you send to Lois and I. You write, "we have seen the goodness happen the past 40 years" like it were a biblical passage describing your "messiah" Don Baker and you accuse others of "brainwashing"? Have you been taking your meds as prescribed? Please remember to re-fill your prescription on April 4th. You're going to want to be fully medicated on the 5th.
Good Luck!
Steve, Do you need to continue to trash Jack O'Beirne? Maybe he is not the follower Mayor Harl wanted him to be? What have you done for the community? He gave the city 24 years of service. What have you done for Peru in the last 24 years that is noteworthy? I know your going to continue to slam O'Beirne but what matters at the end of the day is compare your public service with O'Beirne's. You might be surprised when you look in the mirror. Lois your right dissent is the cornerstone of the democracy we choose.
2:27PM
O'Beirne's last years on the council have not been his best. He has chosen to belittle those who disagree with him and has done so publicly at council meetings. Perhaps he was receiving poor advice and maybe it was encouraged by other disappointed city officials. I don't know but that is what it looks like from my point of view.
But I am willing to give kudos when deserved and last night Jack gave the council good advice by saying the money available for our street repair program should not be divided by wards and used where needed. He feels because of the growth of the city to the north the first and second ward are at a disavantage with regards to the increased business and population. Also stated that after the census last year, some redistricting is advisable. Jack had that right.
2:27PM
BTW Steve's public service years are just beginning so you cannot compare what he has done so far to the length of time Jack has been in office. Steve has the ability to be a very good alderman as do all the opposition candidates running this year.
Lois,
So only the opposition candidates can be very good aldermen. Who's running on the OPPOSITION TICKET? and what are they opposed to??
3:54PM
You are the comedy act?
To 2:27 p.m. - Please point out any positive contributions of Alderman Jack O'Beirne during his 24 years in office. List any initiative or accomplishment. 24 years of simply drawing a paycheck (stipend) from the city of Peru is not an accomplishment. It's a shame.
If you can provide just one positive example I will provide two examples of corruption that demonstrate how O'Beirne has in fact disgraced the office and embarrassed the city in the process. What matters at the end of the day is this. Did O'Beirne use the office to serve the people of Peru or did he use the office to benefit himself and other city insiders?
We can take this as far as you want it to go.
Some of my first priorities in office will be to "undo" the damage and correct the many problems created by the imcompetence of Jack O'Beirne as Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee.
I hope we get to see you undo, some of the damage, that these aldermen are doing, by not useing their brains. They are all one for all and all for one. They can't think for themselves, because Mykiska came right out and said he had to vote a certain way, because Obeirne was his friend. That, from a College Prof. is really intelligent isn't it.
lois in this little blog of yours you say you dont want negative comments, is not to be a bashing of individuals but listen to this steve guy bash anyone he feels like-and he is running for office? please... nothing but a little gossip center for 5 people. what a sad thing to see "grownups" still havent grown up. seems like you all are in junior high
5:56PM
Please be specific, I am not interested in your generalities and your comment on 5 people means that we have 5 people who are stand up enough to sign their name and add credibility to their thoughts. Did I miss something I didn't see your name. I guess in your rush to post your comment you forgot.
BTW please read my post from the WSJ, so we can have a discussion about real problems this city and country may soon be facing.
To 5:56 p.m. - This Steve Guy said....
A little gossip center for five people and now you! Welcome.
I beleive elected officials are public figures who should always be held accountable. If I am elected in April I suspect you will be quite eager to speak your mind about me.
You have every right to do so.
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