By Jeff Dankert
perureporter@newstrib.com
Mayor Scott Harl laid out a plan Wednesday to appoint a replacement for Fourth Ward Alderman Ron Wren, who died Jan. 28.
Harl asked interested appointees to submit a letter to him with their name, address, how long they resided at their address and the position they seek (fourth ward alderman).
Citing state municipal law, Harl explained at Wednesday’s council meeting he would take letters of intent until Feb. 28, interview people, and appoint someone by March 28 to serve the remainder of Wren’s term, which ends in spring of 2013.
Too little time was left (67 days) between Wren’s death and the April 5 election, and there was too little time left in his term (26 months) to use this spring’s election to fill the seat, Harl said, citing state law.
Should the council reject Harl’s first two appointment choices, he can make an appointment without the council’s approval. This was placed in state law to prevent a council or board from repeatedly obstructing filling of a seat, said Doug Schweickert, the city’s attorney.
“There is nobody in that family who is interested in that seat,” Harl said. The family is keenly interested in who gets appointed, he said.
17 comments:
Did anyone read the article in last night's paper regarding Princeton's power plant and their electric rates? They claim their rates are the lowest in the state of Illinois. I was suprised to hear this.
Lets talk to Mayor Harl, He will get the electric rates lower.
All names of people wanting to fill this vacancy should and must be voted on by the city council. The mayor does not have the right to pick and choose WHO HE LIKES AND WHO WILL SUPPORT HIM . We need a alderman or women who will stand up for the people of our city and not follow the mayor like a "duckling in a row of following their mother".
Illinois Municipal Code is the law regarding the filling of a city council vacancy. All cities must follow and no city can do otherwise even if they don't like or approve of the Code. The law is the law.
ANON 2:38 Sounds like something that went on for years, and years, and years - follow the leader I mean.
Do we have any WOMEN wanting to be alderwoman ?
12:58 PM
We are fortunate to have a woman running in the third ward against Dave Waldorf and Joe Witczak. Her name is Mary Landsiedel.
Any woman interested in filling the vacant seat in the 4th ward, please send a letter to the Mayor with your address, length of residence there and any other pertinent facts. He will accept names until the end of February.
BTW Men can also apply.
How do we make sure that ALL NAMES wanting the 4th ward vacancy is presented to the city council for consideration to fill the vacancy ?
How do we make sure the Mayor "does not can folks applications he may not like " ?
All names are NOT to be presented to the city council. The Mayor chooses one person from the list of all who have applied and presents that name to the council. He will interview each person who submits his name. If they do not approve, he has the option of presenting a second different name for approval. If neither win approval, the Mayor names his choice and does not need any approval. BTW this is the way it has always been done.
Lois: Why do you think people are questioning so many things during this new administration? They never seemed to question anything for 44 years. They just accepted what was said and done. There was no hiring process, no jobs posted, etc. Yet, no questions asked. Do you think the change is because the apple cart has been overturned and some folks just can't accept it?
5:42PM
And there was no "blog", who would people voice their opinions to and be listened to.
The people who were favorites of the previous administration are now just one of the folks and I don't believe like being thrown in with the general population of the city.
I would hope the city of Peru will exhibit a form of Democracy and have all considerate people who want to fill the vacancy in the 4th ward be considered and the Mayor WILL NOT AND CITY COUNCIL WILL MAKE SURE THAT ALL NAMES SUBMITTED WILL BE PRESENTED FOR REVIEW.
It appears to me that this Mayor is biased to spend the city broke,create a good ole boys club, (which he promised to change during the election) like many in this blog and only WANTS voices on the council that will eat from his hand.
The Mayor does NOT WANT PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL THAT REPRESENT US THE PEOPLE OF PERU BUT FOR THEM TO BOW BEFORE HIM, " THE MAYOR ".
The facts these past two years are perfectly clear.
Hello everybody, my name is Justin Loger and I have filled a letter of intent to fill the vacant 4th Ward Alderman position. My reasons for this, first and foremost, is because I love to help people, and if appointed it would allow me to fulfill this duty on a much larger scale. Several months ago I contacted our Mayor and asked him where I could find resources on our municipal government, because I was contacted by people both young and old requesting that someone from my generation be more involved in what takes place today that affects how we live tomorrow. I was a graduate of LP High School in 2003, I am 25 years old, and here trying to fulfill my civil duty and be a window for people not only in my ward but for people in my age group. If you have any questions, feel free to call 815-878-8151
ANON 7:27 You have got to be kidding - right? If you have any knowledge of how our government works (and I believe you do) then you know that your aldermen make all the final decisions on spending money. Your mayor does not even get a vote. And, if you think that all of our present aldermen are concerned about what's best for you, their wards, and the City of Peru you are sadly mistaken. For some it has become an ego trip and a mission of revenge against our mayor because their candidate lost. I don't think anyone (except maybe you) really wants an alderman who bows down to anyone. I think people would want an alderman who will work with the mayor, the citizens, and the other council members. Just my opinion.
perhaps the residents of peru felt safe with the former mayor and there was no constant need to question everything, you have to admit he did a fantastic job for the city, i think people appreciated that, the new mayor has big shoes to fill and maybe he is a little anxious, and that is projected out to the public, i think it is very rude that people still feel the need to blast the former mayor, and the councilmen, if you all think you can do so much better then get out there and run for something
I disagree with your entire statement. And if you haven't noticed all the current aldermen do have challengers.
We are now finally feeling that we are listened to by this current administration and some of the aldermen.
6:36 I don't agree with you either but you are entitled to your opinion. Personally I would like to see some diversity on our council (young points of view and female points of view). I would also like to see a council that will become approachable and less combative to public opinion and questions. I would also like to see aldermen who will search for answers to questions they cannot answer.
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