“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

"Fire Works, Sales tax increase, Parks, smelly neighbors.. What ever you would like to chat about feel free to stop by City Hall this Saturday from 3:00-4:00 Myself along with newly appointed Sherry Mayszak will meet in the council chambers to talk about what ever is on your mind. Although we represent the 2nd ward, anyone is welcome. Hope to see you there!! Rodney Perez

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Grass roots group of Perez/Mayszak working to increase our sales tax. Sign me up! Eliminate fireworks on water street. Hope these two have more than that to offer!

Anonymous said...

15 minutes of fame and 98% want a tax increase. Hopefully Alw.Mayszak won't anchor that sinking ship too long. Grassroots for taxes, that is a new concept and a new twist on the economic state of our country. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

Anonymous said...

How is the recall vote going in Wisconsin?

Anonymous said...

A recent secret poll was conducted and 99.5% of the residents wanted Jack to return to the 2nd ward. Should we send one of those cards in the electric bills or just rely on the secret poll to determine if Jack returns.

Rodney Perez said...

Hello "Anonymous" 1,2,3 and 4, "or all of the same".
I normally wouldn't respond to an "anonymous" but figured giving "you" a special invite to our meet and greet would give "you" an opportunity to discuss your concerns in a way that is effective.
Because really Anon...I can not take your concerns seriously especially when "anon" is the same person saying that.. " City officials are never seen in the community until election time and why don't these aldermen and the mayor ever have community forums so we can voice our concerns, where is the transparency, and new ideas?" etc.

Well, here you go anon: You finally have passion, energy and transparency in Peru. I guess it's time to do your part and put down your " half empty" glass and not be afraid of finally having what you have been begging for.

I cordially invite Anon to our Saturday afternoon Grassroots meet and greet forum to enjoy Cookies and Lemonade while discussing ways to move our city forward and listen to what " We have to offer"

A real voice with a real name goes a long way.

P.S.
Lois, Have you ever heard me use percentages, or say that "98 or 99% of my constituents support a tax increase"?

What I say is that " I have a petition in regards to the tax increase, I go door to door to hear what my constituents feel about it, "So far" I have 138 signatures while 8 have opposed" and still have hundreds within my ward. Just not sure where Anon comes up with that percentage figure? because I sure have never stated that.

Thank you,
Rodney Perez

Anonymous said...

July 8th Newstribune paper stated that Rod did a poll and he had 120 for sales tax increase and 3 against. The math is 98% favor sales tax increase. And the rec commission was unnanimous in deciding to move the fireworks! That appeared in your quote, now we find out that no vote was actually taken. Now we have only 95% that favor a sales tax increase. Maybe the Newstrib is not accurate on your quotes?

Sherry Mayszak said...

A formal "yea" and "nay" vote was not taken. When asked who was in favor of moving the fireworks away from Water Street, all members of the Recreation Commission raised their hands. It was an informal vote, but it was in fact a "vote".

Steve said...

Rodney - As you can see, this forest is full of "snipers". Locked and loaded with itchy trigger fingers eager to shoot down any idea or initiative that falls "outside" the realm of the way things have always been done. They shoot first, ask no questions and take no prisoners. The primary target of these assasins will always be anyone who shows initiative and speaks out. Anyone who challenges the status quo. And especially anyone who dares suggest the possibility of other options.
They will never identify themselves. They will never compromise. They will never support any idea or policy proposal that originates from someone they do not "like" personally or support politically. They are threatened by those they see as outsiders.
It is quite likely that many of them were enthusiastic supporters of the idea of a sales tax increase for constructing a new school. I know each and every alderman and elected official at that time could not jump on board fast enough when that proposal was made by Mark Cross. The aldermen were giddy and had a good chuckle in open meeting at the thought of shoppers from the surrounding communities helping finance our school system.
Why then is a sales tax increase not acceptable to improve the infrastructure that will ensure proper access to existing retail areas as well as possible future expansion for new retail development? Peru is almost totally dependent on retail sales to feed its general fund. If you do not properly maintain and improve the infrastructure in and around your retail areas and main arterial streets, you risk loss of retail sales revenue and you will never attract new retailers and restaurants with crumbling streets and curbs or easily accessible water and sewer connections.
If the sales tax increase for Parkside School was an investment in the future and well being of our children, then we must invest in the future of our city as well.
I'll sign that petition.

O.K. snipers, load up!

Anonymous said...

Education vs Roadways......are we really creating those comparisions?

Anonymous said...

Rodney,

You continue doing what you are doing. I will remain anonymous on here because although at times I think Steve is to extreme in his views I agree with what he is saying.

I was in fact one of those supporters of the "good ole boys" It was nice when Don was our mayor and he had his council do as he asked.
The city seemed to run smooth with little or no debate.Which led the citizens including myself to believe all was good.
I do believe mayor Baker did a good job managing and controlling the city. What I have seen over the past 2 years and especially over the past few months is that the city does have to move on. I read the paper and spend hours at the coffee shops and listen to what people are saying and people are liking it.
I will speak out and say that " You are scaring the hell out of "the boys" I hear them personally and listening to them makes me wonder if perhaps it's jealousy that when they ran the city there was no speaking out in public as you do.

Good Luck Perez I wish you were my alderman.

Linda said...

I too applaud you Rodney. While I may not always agree with what you say or do I like that you are willing to listen to your constituents. And, that you make them feel that they are an important part of your ward and their government. It's refreshing to have an alderman who is there for the people. Keep up the good work and know that while some criticize many applaud your work and effort.

Peru Town Forum said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Where would a list of the sales taxes paid to the city be located? The Mayor started with wanting $5 million with a sunset of 5 years for roads which last for 6 to 8 years. He now wants $7 million for roads which he says will last for 8 to 10 years with no sunset. With the concern of maintaining roads to our retail section why are not the sales taxes for one out of every 5 or six years taken to redo these specific roads. Where is the financial planning for road maintenance in the city? THE CITY IS LONG OVERDUE TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL CITY MANAGER AND A CITY ENGINEER.

Anonymous said...

Bingo 9:50. Right on! Where is the road maintenance plan? I thought our aldermen said they needed a set plan before they would consider voting for the sales tax increase. And, I still firmly believe we need a city-wide plan not a bandaid plan for each ward.

Peru Town Forum said...

I hope Rodney will post after the meeting to let us know how it went and what he and Sherry found out what are the concerns of the residents in all areas of Peru. Also anyone that was present, please let us know.

Peru Town Forum said...

The 2nd Ward held our first Grass roots meeting. The Fire works were still on the minds of citizens, all in support with something new for next year,

We also discussed the swimming pool, power plant, and supervision of summer help were just some of the topics.

It was great having citizens from other wards other than the 2nd ward participate and voice their concerns.

Thank you!!
Next ward meeting will be announced for October. (Rodney Perez)

Anonymous said...

Spring Valley will be having their fireworks at Hall High School football field tonight. Up to a couple of weeks ago it would have taken Civil War II to even mention having the Peru fireworks at L-P football stadium. It must be remembered that the City of LaSalle enjoys these same fireworks equally with the City of Peru since they never sponsor their own for the 4th of July. Maybe it is the proper time to approach LaSalle for some financial assistance and see if they have some positive ideas to share with Peru.