Thursday, February 24, 2011
Peru will miss two employees lost to early retirement incentive
Two of the good ones got out while the gettin' was good as a result of the early retirement incentive program adopted by the city council last year. Both employees worked for many years in the Public Works Department. Max Billard started his service with the city of Peru in December of 1976. Max was invaluable due to his extensive knowledge of the Water Distribution System throughout the entire city. With a total of thirty four years as a city employee and the great majority of those years working for the two Don's, aka Baker and Kowalczyk, it's safe to say Max knows where all the bodies are buried. I am looking forward to treating Max to one of his favorite cool dark beverages some time soon.
Donna Merenda ran the office of Public Works during the past twenty four years for the city of Peru. I have had a few occasions to contact Donna over the past couple of years and she has always been very helpful and professional. Considering the cast of characters Donna has dealt with over the years in the Public Works Department and the blatant nepotism practiced by Don Kowalczyk and endorsed by Don Baker I commend Donna for being the sole source of integrity in that office despite several decades of corruption on the part of her superiors.
Max and Donna were two of the good ones folks. Two employees who will be tough to replace. So, thank them when you see them.
By the way, there are two other "longtime" employees "pulling the pin" on retirement this month as well.
Their legacy is the polar opposite of Donna and Max. Suffice it to say there will be no co-worker tears shed for their loss. They have finally and reluctantly given something back to the city by deciding not to take any more from the city.
We should thank them too.
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44 comments:
What bodies are you talking about? If you are soo full of information please let us know. Also, the city will be "shedding some tears" when they get the bills from all of the outside contractors they will have to hire due to the lack of experience and skill the city has for equipment operators or is the mayor going to jump in since it is union now? Just wondering.
well steve talk about negativity, that was a very rude comment about the 2 "dons" you only wish you had what it takes to compare to them, congrats to the retirees' how great for them and anyone that can retire at a decent age. city of peru must be a great place to work
Steve, doesn't this make a total of seven (7) who have taken advantage of Peru's Early Retirement incentive which was encouraged by the city council as a win win situation? Oh! I forgot the key to the lock was it was a win win situation because we were not going to replace them. It was sold as a reduction of the work force.
Wonderful planning by our city council. What was the time frame before the first retiree was replaced? How many have been replaced? What has been and what will be the future costs of this "early retirement incentive" to the City of Peru and its citizens? How much money has to be deposited into a retirement fund by the city?
How many new employees, full and part time has the city hired since this plan has been implemented? Are we now outsourcing more or less city work? Is outsourcing the direction to take?
Could someone explain to me how you can retire a employee early with incentives and than replace them and create a win win situation. You are now paying twice for the productive work of one. It would be interesting to hear the viewpoint of all present city council members and candidates on these subjects: the early retirement incentive and outsourcing. Plus, any other thoughts they have for city employment and city management. Do they feel we need a city engineer, a city manager, televised city council meetings, a co-operative attitude toward LaSalle and other surrounding cities. How do they feel funds for street improvements should be appropriated - by ward or by need? With the 2010 census being released are they in favor of redistricting ward boundaries? What is their belief on home rule government? Are they in favor of a city supported ambulance service or a completely independent service. How many alderman should attend the IML and should they drive back and forth every day or stay overnight on the cities expense(only 100 miles away on interstate roads)? Are they prepared to give a report on all seminars and conventions attended on city funds? There are many many more questions to follow and all should be answered with a reason why rather than a flat yes or no.
Who is going to be in charge of "Lullaby of Birdland" across the Illinois River at the Peru landfill? Just think of all the poor local fowl who will be "shedding some tears" when they find that their henhouse master has moved on. When did the landfill shut down?
To 6:23 p.m. - Your outdated mind-set that there are only "special" city employees who can be called upon to do certain tasks reveals you are a creature of the "old way" of thinking. You will be very disappointed to see how the quality city employees will perform when given the opportunity they were never given by the previous administration. With proper structured training we will keep as much work as possible "In-House" and maybe even bring some back in-house that has been outsourced for decades. That will be one of my first priorities as 4th Ward Alderman. I understand what the training and professional development needs are, and I know how to implement a program that will get the job done.
You seem to think one specific employee is irreplacable. Think again!
To 7:07 - You may see my reference to the
"2 Dons" as rude but I just call em' like I see em'. I have what it takes to know how not to repeat the excesses or abuse authority the way the 2 Dons did for decades.
To 7:26 - Great comment and excellent questions. The details of the ERI Program were discussed in open meeting on at least several occasions beginning about a year ago before it was adopted by the full council. Unanimously I beleive. My understanding is that with each qualified employee who chose the "out" there would be substantial initial payments by the city into the retirement fund. The benefit to the city comes in the obvious form of fewer highly compensated employees who have a significant amount of accumulated sick and vacation time and also the cost of benefits. The selling point from the officials with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund was that the plan will not immediately benefit the city (because of the initial payout) but will be a cost saver in the "Long -Run".
To make the absolute most of the situation the city would refrain completely from any new hiring. However, if the city decides they will hire new employees at much lesser wage and benefit levels there will still be an eventual cost-saving benefit. Albeit, not as significant a savings if no employees were ever replaced. It is not realistic to think you will never hire new employees.
Overall, I support the ERI program. Here is what you need to know. In Peru, there was and still is a critical need to establish a workforce composed of "quality" skilled and motivated employees. And because of the poor management and hiring decisions of the past administration there was and still is a need to "cull" the unproductive and disruptive employees that poison the atmosphere and morale for everyone involved. The ERI program took some excellent employees, but more importantly it removed some "cancer" that really needed to go. If the workforce is managed properly it will benefit the city in the long term. This situation, like so many others in Peru have taken many years to create and it will also take years to correct. So I say, let's get to it asap!
You ask some very good questions regarding policy positions. Leading up to the April, 5th election, I intend to publish my positions on the questions you pose. Please stay tuned and thank you for your insight. If you wish to contact me personally feel free to call me at 815-252-8050.
Some of my additional questions are: What position are each of the eleven (11) candidates taking in regards to city council meetings and committee meetings? Do you prefer a weekly, bi- weekly, tri-weekly, or a monthly city council meeting? Since committee meetings are created to carry the heavy load and city council meetings are to achieve the fine detailing do you believe committee meetings should outnumber city council meetings two (2) to one (1)? What do you believe would be the ideal schedule for city council and committee meetings and why?
Specifically what is each candidates feeling toward term limitations? If you believe in term limitations do you beleve that the Mayors, City Treasurer, City Clerk and Alderman should all be the same longivity? If different what would you recommend for each?
At one time the City of Peru had five (5) wards with ten (10) aldermen presently it has four (4) wards with eight (8) aldermen. Would you think out of tradition for a moment and contemplate reducing the number of aldermen to one per ward and having two at large aldermen for a total of six (6). The two at large aldermen could be geographically established that a alderman could be elected from wards one and two and the second at large alderman could be elected from wards three and four. This would enable the Mayor to retain the tie breaking vote, if needed. I would consider the at large aldermen to serve a two year term, with the ward aldermen serving a four year term in staggered elections. I.E. Wards one and three to be elected this year and two and four being elected two years from now. You could also elect all four in one election and the mayor, City Treasurer and City Clerk at the same time or two years later.
I grew up in Peru, worked for the city in the summer for a a few years under the "Don's" as you call them. Now, I live out of town and have a job that is like the SPW. I learned a lot watching Mr. Kowalczyk and seeing how he did things. I did not see any corruption with him at all. What a good man. So, when I was talking with a friend who lives in Peru and they were telling me that you and other people were running him down I thought I had to read it for myself and see what was going on. I understand people want change and I am all for it, but when the city has changed for the worse and people start bashing people who are no longer in positions~ what good is that? Yes, I said it the City has changed for the worse. I was home visiting family and they took me around and showed me things I thought to myself what the ---- happened to Peru? It is not the Peru I remember. I am sorry if I hurt some peoples feelings but that is how I feel!
2:47PM
People who have moved away from here frequently write back and make comments about the politics of the Illinois Valley. I don't believe it is meant to be a compliment. I would be interested in knowing what you see as worse and the changes that you believe are not helping this city.
I am a life long resident of Peru and I look back on many things that are not what they used to be but then not much in the U.S. is what it used to be. Please come back with your answers and thank you for writing in.
the city of peru employees are all very dedicated hard working people. steve you are way out of line critizing them like that, i am very grateful we had such dedicated employees working for us, its too bad you can't see the good in honest-yes honest hard working people. too bad.
2:47PM and 7:03PM
I don't believe that either of you are aware of all the double dealing and behind the scenes peddling and meddling that has been going on behind the scenes. Always remember the nepotism that has existed in this city for years.Sometimes people that appear like good ole boys are allowed to pretty much do what they want with no one the wiser.
When you think of 40 years of the same just remember the adages
"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it"
and
“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”[
I am the one that moved away but I keep up on the city politics and what is going on through my parents and the rest of my family that still lives in Peru. Also, I read the News-Trib online. You are right part of my statement was not a compliment but some parts are. I am sorry if I offended you in anyway but, I call them like I read them or hear them!
Anon 7:03
Give you 9 to 5 odds that 38 per cent of the city employees are related to 3 former city officials of the City of Peru. What remaining per cent are related to other city officials or influential personnel of the city I do not know but I can assure you that nepotism runs high. That 3 letter word "all" means everyone including the wood craftsman at the airport and the hen house master at the landfill.
Since you know so much about the practices of Peru maybe you could tell me how many hours of city employee time was spent in the big 5 story building during working hours. Guys at the doughnut shop never could agree on a realistic total. Also have heard rumors that certain folks had unofficial work done at their homes. Only rumors you know. Surely this must be rumors. Everyone including other city officials wouldn't turn their heads and look the other way. Would they?
9:00 PM
I appreciate your comments but when you see things that are not just right, I really want to know.
Are you speaking of our horrendous roads?
Are you speaking of our main road through town where the businesses are pretty much non existent any longer?
Are you speaking of our $40 Mil plus debt we have?
I hope you realize that all that took time to develop, in fact it took many years, it did not happen overnight. Many things were not priorities.
My children have all moved away also and have happy memories of the Peru that once was.
Population is changing and lack of any substantial businesses developing here are not too great.
The city needs input from anyone who sees something that needs to be done and has an answer as to how.
If you have answers or questions, I ask you to contact Mayor Harl, he will make time to listen to you.
how does anyone get a job? most time is because they know someone, you know it and i know it, you people are all such negative beings, if we are that much in debt then what is being done about it? you hire more people in the clerks office because what judy used to do he cant do now, has to have a helper. what is the current mayor doing about this situation i believe none of the garbage you post on here. i still have faith in our city employees, quit your complaining and doing something about it
We are not going to get any new businesses in Peru, No one will come to town, with the way the roads are taken care of. They are a disgrace.
Our aldermen, are more worried about a new pool, than any fixing of the roads. In fact they are allowing concerts up at the airport, to help with the pool. I have nothing against a new pool, but let put our priorities in order. Remember we were told we couldn't have the fireworks at the airport???, because there is not enough parking. Where are you going to park the cars that attend the concerts?? Oh I forgot the pool is more important in this city than anything else. Wake up citizens, there is an election comming up in April.
Anon: 2:47
So you worked under the Dons. Were you family, friend, or how were you hired. Back then one of the Dons had over 20 some family, working for the city. No one was hired unless you were related to someone from the city, or a neighbor. Also look back and see the difference in overtime certain people made under the 'dons' and now. So please write again and let us know how you were related ok? Friend, Family, Neighbor??
I would like to make a comment on the headlines in Thurs. News Tribune. You mean the engineer, Roger Chamlin, did not know, what streets are in Peru, or Peru Township? That boggles the mind, he has been the city engineer for over 40 years. Have the city been doing the grass cutting, snow plowing, and everything that goes with it, instead of the Township, with all their money not doing their job? I guess the city should have a lot of money comming from the Township?
Good points ANON 8:43. If not the long time city engineer then what about some of the long time aldermen. Doesn't anyone know who owns what?
2:47 p.m. - Your comment just screams for a response.
You were a teenager working a couple of summers for the city of Peru however many years ago and you never witnessed any corruption going on? Does that about cover what you said?
Were you out looking for or investigating corruption within the city back then? Were you a teenage crimefighter? If there was something going on you certainly would have known about it, right? You were not at all pre-occupied with wondering if your complexion would ever clear up or if you would ever get your first kiss? You would have spotted that corruption right now! Teenagers are just on the ball that way. Right?
Look, assuming your descriptioon of who and what you are is true...consider this.
I never said Don Kowalczyk was an evil monster. In fact, I have always found him to be a pretty personable guy. I used to talk sports with him after the council meetings back in the day at The Mirror Building.
That's not the point and it doesn't change a thing about what I and many other people in and around Peru know about how Don & Don ran their little machine.
The fact is you were a naive kid back then who had no clue what was happening in your city. That's alright because you were certainly not alone in your ignorance and it's nothing to be ashamed of. Most of the city had no idea either and to this day many still refuse to accept the facts.
Flash forward to today and you appear just as naive as you were back then. And, according to your comment so are your family and friends who still live in the area. That's too bad.
If you are currently in a position of authority as you claim in your comment then you know exactly how not to abuse that authority as Don Kowalczyk abused his for many years.
I'm sorry you and your family have been unaware of the excesses and corruption of the past in Peru. There are many folks who are very much aware and I am just one of many.
8:17AM
Most legitimate jobs are obtained because people apply for them with a resume and they are judged partially on that after a personal interview is conducted. Notices for job openings are publicly posted online, in newspapers etc. At least that is the way it is being done in Peru since Mayor Harl was elected.
You don't qualify, you don't get the job.
Cities are now businesses and need to be run in the same way. Just because you have a friend, relative or neighbor that needs a job does not mean he can now go work for the city.
That ended when Mayor Baker was defeated. I do know that it was rampant in the previous administration. I believe our previous spw was related to a sitting alderman when he got the job.
Lois,
With Steve running for 4th ward alderman and your comment that this blog is NOT FOR POLITICAL advertising,
"WHY ARE YOU ALLOWING STEVE TO PUT HIS POLITICAL VIEWS AND HIS PHONE NUMBER ON THIS BLOG"?
Steve is co author of this blog, he has the right to do just what he is doing. I have published the and name and phone number of Justin who is seeking Ron Wren's seat and also comments by Rodney Perez. I will publish comments and information from other people running in this election but they have to write them in. So far no one has.
Anon 11:10 a.m. and Lois
As a concerned citizen, and someone who wishes to be a informed voter, I submitted to the blog a series of questions on 7:26 p.m. Feb. 24 and on 2:47 pm Feb. 25 p.m.(both comments are above). I asked the 11 candidates to answer any or all of the questions with reasons "why" they took their viewpoints.
I realize that I posted my comments only a short time ago but Steve Weberski, candidate for 4th ward alderman has responded. Mr. Weberski also stated that he intends to publish his position on the remaining questions posed before April 5th.
Realizing that Steve Weberski's answer to my question on the city employee's Early Retirement Incentive offer was extremely thorough, I took the time to question some people, who I know have a interest in Peru City Politics. They informed me that 4th ward candidate Weberski has been attending every city council meeting for years. I was also informed that he is the person who was sent the $100.00 ticket to attend the performance of the Eagles at the closing of the IML convention which six of our present aldermen and wives attended. I believe a note came with the unsigned ticket stating "Wish You Were Here".
I was told that this was done in meanness. I guess $100.00's does not seem like much when as a group you have already spent over $9,000 in a couple of days at city expense.
I realize the election is 5 weeks and 1 day from today but I believe it is time for all candidates to give some insight into their views on questions which have not been answered for many years by council members.
To Steve about the city employee workers.
I am suprised for a person(Steve) to denegrate or praise any people of the Peru city work force if one does not work side by side with any of those individuals. Where does Steve work ? Out of the city of Peru? if so HOW DARE HIM BE SO CRITICAL.
I think we would have to ask those that recently retired, WOULD THEY HAVE RETIRED IF NOT THE offer of early retirement was made by the Mayor ?
I would guess the Mayor like Steve just want to get rid of People so they could replace them with supporters! Won't you agree ?
lois here is comment, that was just told to me:
It holds a lot of truth.
POLICTIANS AND DIAPERS SHOULD BE CHANGED OFTEN, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL FULL OF S--T.
THE ONES IN PERU, ARE IN BAD NEED OF CHANGING.
REMEMBER TO VOTE IN APRIL.
To 3:07 p.m. - I have a right to speak about employees of the city of Peru because I am a taxpayer, ratepayer and citizen. I also have the right to criticize or praise any city employee or elected official because, again, I am a taxpayer, ratepayer and citizen.
I have spent many years learning what city employees do well and what they do not do so well. I am aware of how things were done in the past and I know how things should be done now and into the future with city manpower and resources.
That's why I'm running for Alderman in the 4th Ward. If you think there is no need for improvement in city services you need to wake up and smell the coffee! If you think there is no "Dead Weight" on the city payroll you are beyond help.
To Steve 12:26pm,
I certainly agree with you . I know where the "Dead Weight" in the city is since watching, living and attending the city council meetings.
You make a lot of noise outside of the council meeting and on this blog but you are nothing but a bump on the chair during the meeting. (Read the book "Three Frogs on a Log" )
The DEAD WEIGHT is the last election's winners and you probably will be also if you win the 4th ward of which I don't think you will.
Truly, A close watcher of what is going on !
4:47PM
You may be a close watcher but you are not very knowledgeable.
I have said it before and I will say it again. Comments made during the public comment time, are not worth much. You will be ridiculed, cut off or interrupted by the Council. They are experts at misconstruing what is said. I've been in that position and learned from it.
I think you need to open your eyes and ears other places beside city hall.
To 4:47 p.m. - I have every intention of providing you the opportunity of judging my performance as an alderman in the 4th Ward.
You obviously believe in the confrontational approach in order to influence policy. I suspect you are quite the "In your Face" type of person. The fact is, that type of performance in open meeting serves no purpose.
I have told you before. I do not attend council meetings for the purpose of influencing policy. I attend council meetings to observe and judge the people who do. Now you may believe a confrontational "rant" during a council meeting will earn you respect and noteriety, but in reality it only exposes you as a kook.
The path to reform and progress in Peru will be blazed by quality elected officials.
Not by perpetual mal-contents.
Don't forget to vote. Hey, how about a Weberski sign in your yard? C'mon!
well since we are all so busy tooting the horn of Harl, I want to say this, how did Linda Tonelli obtain Donna's Job? I have a friend that works for the city (who none the less was interested in the job) and asked, low and behold, no other city employee's were given the opportunity to apply for the job, some asked and were told that it was not being filled, they were going to have "heidi" do it part time and do her current functions as well (right from harl's mouth). Guess what Linda is a good friend to Gary Bleck and next thing you know, she has the job, so toot the horn of harl all you want but it is all the same, just different names. There was not a posting of any job, either in the city of for the public, is this the abundance of "fair" and good ethics you were all talking about that we all had to look forward to?
10:08 - I don't disagree with you that the proper procedure to fill a vacancy from
"within" an organization is to post the position to allow any current employee an opportunity to inquire. There would not have to be a formal application process.
I don't know the details of how this situation was handled and I suspect you don't either.
This much I do know. The position was filled by moving an employee from the clerks office to the Public Works Dept. office. That in itself is an efficient and economical management decision.
If your friend feels slighted by the way this situation was handled he/she should consult Human Resource Director Kim Reese for an explanation of how this decision was made and if he/she has any recourse in the matter.
In the case of moving an employee from one department to another within the same organization, management has the authority and discretion to do as they see fit.
I certainly understand the disappointment of someone who may have had interest in the
position. We all want opportunities to advance in the workplace. It doesn't always work out the way we had hoped. At the very least, anyone who showed interest and was not chosen for this position deserves an explanation of how the decision was made.
well well steve, i think you have a double standard going here-is ok for the city to hire shabbily, and is no big deal but god forbid that happen under former mayor baker's rule, for your comment alone you have guarranteed a non vote from me.
7:06PM
Your manner of expressing "to hire shabbily" does not fit this situation. It is pretty common practice to hire from within when there is a job opening that would provide advancement for a long term employee. Sometimes the job is posted within but everyone knows that so and so has the job locked up. Mayor Baker has nothing to do with this situation so kindly keep his name out of it and threats of non voting for Steve are irrelevant because you never intended to do so in the first place.
No double standard. The city did not hire anybody. There was no new hire.
There was no oportunity to hire "shabbily".
I like the adjective you used. Try saying it real fast three times in a row.
Shabbily, Shabbily, Shabbily.
Now let's use it in a sentence.
7:06 p.m. seems determined to vote shabbily in the upcoming election.
I know who my supporters are and you have never been on the list.
At least we have a hiring process today. Positions are announced at council meetings, posted in the paper, applications accepted, and interviews scheduled. This procedure didn't exist in the past. This is called progress and good and fair government!!!
there still is no procedure that job wasnt posted, no one got a chance to bid on it, was given to another employee-not good, is a big joke, perhaps that person that was hired is qualified but the job should have been posted for all employees to bid on-steve you state there was no new ire, no there wasnt but it was a under the table hire. and you seem to approve of that.
what procedure? what hiring process? was this postion announced at the council meeting? were applications accepted and inteviews scheduled? sure doesnt sound like it-so no procedure does not exist in the present either. so there fore is not called progress and good fair government-
It was discussed and I don't remember if it was at a council meeting or a finance meeting as I have not been to many the last month or so. They explained how they would move one of the city clerk employees to fill Donna Marenda's job. Strictly one of those in house changes. No new job was created and there were enough employees that a new hire was not necessary. Usually people are complaining that we don't need more employees and you are complaining that we did not hire a new employee.
ANON 9:58 You have to understand that this was not a hiring and therefore did not require a process. It was just a shifting of in house personnel from one position to another. Would you rather the city add another person to the payroll so you could complain about that? If you have been involved in this new administration's achievements you would be very aware of the hiring process that was implemented. Obviously you are bitter about something. Probably about the change of hands.
no you 2 are the ones complaining all the time about past administration doing things under the table. does it matter if it was not a new job? should not have anyone had the opportunity to bid on this job? what pray tell is the new adminstrations achievements i dont think there is one -was a under the table move no matter how you look at it. think about it not that hard to figure out, and it just proves a point-nothing has changed so was anything ever wrong???
7:34 p.m. - You're making me dizzy. You're complaining about the current administration not being open about an in-house position change, but you were absolutely OK with no formal hiring process for city jobs for the previous 44 years or more.
Only now can you recognize what you believe to be an improper personnel move. That's rather hypocritical, don't you think.
@10:05
Transfer of departments...similar to transferring and employee from the electric to public works and then suddenly hiring another electric department employee? How long until the clerk decides he needs another employee? Btw this is an old topic but why did the clerks office hire another meter reader? Why wasn't the current reader offered the opportunity?
ANON 1:14 Why would the current meter reader apply for a job she already has? The clerks office hired a meter reader to replace the one that retired. Plain and simple - isn't it.
No the meter readers are part-time or contracted and paid per meter and reimbursed gas mileage. I am curious why the other part-time reader was not offered full-time since she is already on City family insurance? Afterall that is the excuse the clerk utilized when he had the deputy clerk go full-time-because she was already on family insurance and it would not cost more in benefits.
Sorry still no fair hiring policy in Peru.
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