This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“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
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Making a Difference in our City
Picking up trash along 251 Alderman Perez helping to clean up our city. Lets all do our bit!
23 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Thank God the alderman is doing something constructive but here again BAD JUDGEMENT.
Why would anyone use the city bus (high maintenance and poor gas mileage with high prices) to pick up Garbage???? You know the bus was sitting at idle while the Alderman wanted to be noiced along side the road picking up debris.
Good decision ? I would say bad judgement and poor management of city equipment. Why not use his own pick up truck if he is donating his time?
11:04 Are you serious?? I drove on 251 yesterday A.M. and saw 5-6 volunteers picking up trash on a very hot day, I read your comment and thought HMMM!! maybe the city bus carried the volunteers to that area or would you think that Alderman Perez should pile the volunteers in the back of his pick up truck and park that along the highway, sure seems to me that big city bus would be a much safer vehicle to haul around volunteers.
perhaps if the bus was idling maybe a volunteer or 2 were cooling off and taking a break? Wait!! maybe they could have sat in the back of a pick up truck to cool off?
Thank You Alderman Perez and the volunteers for what you do, I hope if Perez or volunteers read these posts they understand that jealous people are hard to satisfy.
Anon 11:04. Shame on you for even posting such a statement. God Bless people like Alderman Perez for trying to do something better for others with absolutely nothing to gain in return. Were you out there picking up garbage in that temperature? Did you take a "mean person" pill this morning to be so cruel? If you only knew how much personal business was performed with company vehicles and personnel in the past, you would almost #$*! yourself. For once!!!, something positive is being done with city owned equipment!!! Mr. Perez is an asset to this community. Leave him alone. Why don't you try to help vs condemn him.
Does anyone wonder why the summer help is not instructed to get some garbage bags and some days as they ride their gators to a park, stop and pick up trash along the way. How about some of the street crews stopping to pick up trash which usually exists on well traveled roads. Every little bit counts. Last year on our walks we were constantly picking up vodka bottles. Must have been a transient because this year we haven't been seeing any.
To those in support of the Alderman, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE TAKING CREDIT FOR PICKING UP GARBAGE?????????????? I guess the alderman Perez is trying to set an example that the mayor or others in public works don't think to much about it because they are not in the picture. How about the others that were suppose to be helping, NOPE not in the picture also ! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! I guess we could say that Mr Perez is getting paid for his aldermanic duties by picking up garbage, right ???? Although , We do have 40+ summer help on payroll, but I guess they are busy on Saturdays or it just might be beneath there skill levels ???
I can't believe some of you people. We finally have an alderman who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to help clean up your city. And you criticize, probably while sitting in your air conditioned house watching TV. Yes, we have 40 + summer help and I agree they could, and probably should, be doing this job on a daily basis. I, for one, certainly do not want them to work on Saturday and get O.T. I see too much wasted time during the work week that does not warrant overtime. Come on people, give credit where credit is due. Thank you Mr. Perez.
Apparently you people who are commenting in the negative have no problem with the city bus being used by our horticulturist for daycation trips. Double standards?
5:43 Anon - They also have no problem with the horticulturist - not sure why we keep calling him that based on the weed beds and dead trees at the parks - taking the bus out of town for special events. OUT OF TOWN?? in our city equipment? Wow- somehow that doesn't seem to be much of a shocker. Taking our sales tax out of town too with his travelers on the weekends? At an overtime rate of pay too? This makes me sick.
Took the family for our Sunday ride for Ice Cream this evening and saw Alderman Perez and his wife walking on 7th street carrying a garbage bag and picking up trash. I'm amazed!!
I can't tell you how pleasant it is to have a city official actually trying to make a difference by cleaning up our town. Usually it was only done when they were trying to impress someone like when Central States came to town. Now if a few of the others would at least clean up around their own neighborhoods it would set a very good example and perhaps people might have a clue that this is the right thing to do. Thanks Rodney and Marsha
Lois, Thank you for sharing what we have teamed up to do this past weekend. This is a volunteer program we will be continuing on with. Our next clean up day will be July 23, and we will again meet at city hall @ 8:30 everyone and anyone is welcome to join us. I think it may be important to some if I touch on a couple of the comments made in regards to this program. First and foremost I appreciate all of the comments made here, although I thought a couple of them made may need to be addressed by me.
Safety must come first when taking on a project like this, when volunteers step up, we must be sure we do everything we can to be responsible for their health and safety. Test Inc. donated over a thousand garbage bags and gloves, we also borrowed safety vests from the city. One of the earlier posts hit it right on for the reason why the city van was used. As most know, hauling individuals around in the back of a pick up truck is illegal, and also inappropriate to ask adult volunteers to sit back there with bags of trash. to do as you thought we should do, would be "BAD JUDGEMENT"
The decision to use the city van was my Judgement call. parking multiple vehicles on roadways to do trash pick up would be dangerous to both the volunteers and commuters. I will say you are correct in your statement that "I chose to leave the van Idle," to clarify.. I did this not once but several times while we were out there in the heat, I made sure that we had plenty of water and time to cool off in the air conditioned van as we took random breaks, The van was also large and stood out enough to let commuters know something was going on and to be cautious, a larger vehicle is much safer than a pick up truck. Again.." GOOD JUDGEMENT CALL" because we were incident free :-) Although not relevant, I thought I would touch on the comment made in regards to the photo above. Lois tagged that photo from my facebook and attached it to the blog. I also have another photo on my facebook with some of the other volunteers, I would think that Lois did not put that one up on her blog do to her possibly not knowing if they would mind. If anyone would like to visit my facebook to see comments and my alderman updates, please feel free to friend me and I will be happy to accept your request, however I do not use my facebook as a debate blog but for information only. If anyone is interested in volunteering, or would like to discuss an issue or concern please contact me at 815-245-7566 or e mail aldermanperez@yahoo.com in addition we do have liability forms to be filled out by each volunteer. Thanks again for everyone's comments and support.
I don't understand the reason Mr Perez is trying to convince us that he is so concerned for the city of Peru. Did anyone see Mr Perez picking up garbage BEFORE HE WAS AN ALDERMAN ?
I sure did not see all of this recognition for picking up garbage BEFORE THE ELECTION. What does that mean or say; maybe a person needs to be elected as alderman , get notice and attention, before the citizens of peru can pick up garbage. This issue does not smell right ! Isn't route 251 state of Ill right of way ?
11:37 AM We don't know that Ald. Perez has not been picking up trash from the streets for years as no one would have paid any attention. You know that when you and I both have gone out and picked up garbage no one even notices it. We were just doing what we thought was right. If everyone did that and that includes the city, we would not have trash all over town. The state no longer cleans up highways because they don't have the money to do it. This has been the case for many years.
Many residents help and don't want the recognition and its ok if Ald.Perez needs that public display. The bottom line is that we have less trash in Peru.
OMG people give it a rest. Someone is doing something to improve your city. Maybe if people would keep a trash bag in their vehicle they wouldn't have to litter the streets. Maybe if we had a program where the summer help would pick up trash on a scheduled basis we wouldn't have a mess. Maybe if everyone pitched in and did a little things would get done. Quit complaining because someone is doing something good for your city and volunteer to help.
When someone is doing something for the good of the city (even a volunteer) and using city equipment(like the city bus) the city is libel for anything that may go wrong, i.e. someone getting injured by broken glass, snakes, covered holes , broken bones etc etc.
Do you understand, the city of Peru is responsible. Do we have the adequate insurance to cover such good will and stupidity. Thats what it is all about..MONEY, which this city does NOT HAVE and most importantly someone getting hurt.
Good Judgement not BAD Judgement is for adults to demonstrate not ignore for the sake of doing a deed that appears good but could put people in harms way.
You are saying that only paid city workers can be allowed to clean up the city. No Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or other volunteer organizations. Every year there has been a group to sweep the Illinois River banks for trash, that would be illegal also according to your theory. The city bus is used for shopping and daycations without a problem. Sounds like you are looking for something to complain about. Sounds like you would prefer that Peru turn into a dirtier town and remain so.
I think this was a geat idea and I applaud those that volunteered... My questions is this; Does the city of Peru have an ordance about littering and dumping garbage, and if so is it enforced? If some of the people that are dumping their trash onto the roadways are stopped and ticketed maybe the littering would stop!
3:07 Perhaps you should go back to read the 9:03 post left by the Alderman. I do believe his comment that states "Liability forms are filled out by the volunteers" is pertaining to city liability. It sure seems to me by reading the Alderman's post that he had all of the the safety for the volunteers and liability for the city covered. And the comment by 11:37 I see this movement by the Alderman to be a "lead by example" from a public figure. Sorry but, I don't see it as narrowly minded as you do. If this was 2 weeks before the election I could say that "maybe" but what does he have to gain when his next election is like 4 years away. You negative people need to quit being so paranoid and look at the glass half full. Since you can't beat this you my as well just join him and Volunteer yourself. Besides, what I read about Alderman Perez, he seems to be all about volunteering.
I am always amazed at the McDonalds leftover garbage I find in my area of town about a mile from the fast food restaurant. I know this is impossible to prevent unless this town develops an attitude that this will not be tolerated and if seen you will be fined. But I believe all that litter is being tossed out of car windows. Also while out walking, I noticed the number of cigarette butts laying along the curbs. I can't keep people from smoking so how do we keep the butts off the street?
Picking up trash along 251 Alderman Perez helping to clean up our city. Lets all do our bit!
23 comments:
Thank God the alderman is doing something constructive but here again BAD JUDGEMENT.
Why would anyone use the city bus (high maintenance and poor gas mileage with high prices) to pick up Garbage???? You know the bus was sitting at idle while the Alderman wanted to be noiced along side the road picking up debris.
Good decision ? I would say bad judgement and poor management of city equipment. Why not use his own pick up truck if he is donating his time?
11:04 Are you serious??
I drove on 251 yesterday A.M. and saw 5-6 volunteers picking up trash on a very hot day, I read your comment and thought HMMM!! maybe the city bus carried the volunteers to that area or would you think that Alderman Perez should pile the volunteers in the back of his pick up truck and park that along the highway, sure seems to me that big city bus would be a much safer vehicle to haul around volunteers.
perhaps if the bus was idling maybe a volunteer or 2 were cooling off and taking a break? Wait!! maybe they could have sat in the back of a pick up truck to cool off?
Thank You Alderman Perez and the volunteers for what you do, I hope if Perez or volunteers read these posts they understand that jealous people are hard to satisfy.
Anon 11:04. Shame on you for even posting such a statement. God Bless people like Alderman Perez for trying to do something better for others with absolutely nothing to gain in return. Were you out there picking up garbage in that temperature? Did you take a "mean person" pill this morning to be so cruel? If you only knew how much personal business was performed with company vehicles and personnel in the past, you would almost #$*! yourself. For once!!!, something positive is being done with city owned equipment!!! Mr. Perez is an asset to this community. Leave him alone. Why don't you try to help vs condemn him.
Does anyone wonder why the summer help is not instructed to get some garbage bags and some days as they ride their gators to a park, stop and pick up trash along the way. How about some of the street crews stopping to pick up trash which usually exists on well traveled roads. Every little bit counts.
Last year on our walks we were constantly picking up vodka bottles. Must have been a transient because this year we haven't been seeing any.
To those in support of the Alderman, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE TAKING CREDIT FOR PICKING UP GARBAGE??????????????
I guess the alderman Perez is trying to set an example that the mayor or others in public works don't think to much about it because they are not in the picture. How about the others that were suppose to be helping, NOPE not in the picture also ! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
I guess we could say that Mr Perez is getting paid for his aldermanic duties by picking up garbage, right ????
Although , We do have 40+ summer help on payroll, but I guess they are busy on Saturdays or it just might be beneath there skill levels ???
I don't see Peru Garbage Stickers on those bags... :) just kidding.
I can't believe some of you people. We finally have an alderman who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to help clean up your city. And you criticize, probably while sitting in your air conditioned house watching TV. Yes, we have 40 + summer help and I agree they could, and probably should, be doing this job on a daily basis. I, for one, certainly do not want them to work on Saturday and get O.T. I see too much wasted time during the work week that does not warrant overtime. Come on people, give credit where credit is due. Thank you Mr. Perez.
Apparently you people who are commenting in the negative have no problem with the city bus being used by our horticulturist for daycation trips. Double standards?
Summer help does not need overtime. Have them leave 2 hours early on Thursday and Friday and work Saturday for those 4 hours!
5:43 Anon - They also have no problem with the horticulturist - not sure why we keep calling him that based on the weed beds and dead trees at the parks - taking the bus out of town for special events. OUT OF TOWN?? in our city equipment? Wow- somehow that doesn't seem to be much of a shocker. Taking our sales tax out of town too with his travelers on the weekends? At an overtime rate of pay too? This makes me sick.
Thanks Alderman Perez for your hard work!
Took the family for our Sunday ride for Ice Cream this evening and saw Alderman Perez and his wife walking on 7th street carrying a garbage bag and picking up trash. I'm amazed!!
I can't tell you how pleasant it is to have a city official actually trying to make a difference by cleaning up our town. Usually it was only done when they were trying to impress someone like when Central States came to town.
Now if a few of the others would at least clean up around their own neighborhoods it would set a very good example and perhaps people might have a clue that this is the right thing to do. Thanks Rodney and Marsha
Lois, Thank you for sharing what we have teamed up to do this past weekend. This is a volunteer program we will be continuing on with. Our next clean up day will be July 23, and we will again meet at city hall @ 8:30 everyone and anyone is welcome to join us.
I think it may be important to some if I touch on a couple of the comments made in regards to this program.
First and foremost I appreciate all of the comments made here, although I thought a couple of them made may need to be addressed by me.
Safety must come first when taking on a project like this, when volunteers step up, we must be sure we do everything we can to be responsible for their health and safety.
Test Inc. donated over a thousand garbage bags and gloves, we also borrowed safety vests from the city.
One of the earlier posts hit it right on for the reason why the city van was used.
As most know, hauling individuals around in the back of a pick up truck is illegal, and also inappropriate to ask adult volunteers to sit back there with bags of trash. to do as you thought we should do, would be "BAD JUDGEMENT"
The decision to use the city van was my Judgement call. parking multiple vehicles on roadways to do trash pick up would be dangerous to both the volunteers and commuters.
I will say you are correct in your statement that "I chose to leave the van Idle," to clarify.. I did this not once but several times while we were out there in the heat, I made sure that we had plenty of water and time to cool off in the air conditioned van as we took random breaks, The van was also large and stood out enough to let commuters know something was going on and to be cautious, a larger vehicle is much safer than a pick up truck. Again.." GOOD JUDGEMENT CALL" because we were incident free :-)
Although not relevant, I thought I would touch on the comment made in regards to the photo above.
Lois tagged that photo from my facebook and attached it to the blog. I also have another photo on my facebook with some of the other volunteers, I would think that Lois did not put that one up on her blog do to her possibly not knowing if they would mind.
If anyone would like to visit my facebook to see comments and my alderman updates, please feel free to friend me and I will be happy to accept your request, however I do not use my facebook as a debate blog but for information only.
If anyone is interested in volunteering, or would like to discuss an issue or concern please contact me at 815-245-7566 or e mail aldermanperez@yahoo.com in addition we do have liability forms to be filled out by each volunteer.
Thanks again for everyone's comments and support.
Rodney Perez
I don't understand the reason Mr Perez is trying to convince us that he is so concerned for the city of Peru.
Did anyone see Mr Perez picking up garbage BEFORE HE WAS AN ALDERMAN ?
I sure did not see all of this recognition for picking up garbage BEFORE THE ELECTION. What does that mean or say; maybe a person needs to be elected as alderman , get notice and attention, before the citizens of peru can pick up garbage.
This issue does not smell right ! Isn't route 251 state of Ill right of way ?
11:37 AM
We don't know that Ald. Perez has not been picking up trash from the streets for years as no one would have paid any attention.
You know that when you and I both have gone out and picked up garbage no one even notices it. We were just doing what we thought was right. If everyone did that and that includes the city, we would not have trash all over town.
The state no longer cleans up highways because they don't have the money to do it. This has been the case for many years.
Many residents help and don't want the recognition and its ok if Ald.Perez needs that public display. The bottom line is that we have less trash in Peru.
OMG people give it a rest. Someone is doing something to improve your city. Maybe if people would keep a trash bag in their vehicle they wouldn't have to litter the streets. Maybe if we had a program where the summer help would pick up trash on a scheduled basis we wouldn't have a mess. Maybe if everyone pitched in and did a little things would get done. Quit complaining because someone is doing something good for your city and volunteer to help.
When someone is doing something for the good of the city (even a volunteer) and using city equipment(like the city bus) the city is libel for anything that may go wrong, i.e. someone getting injured by broken glass, snakes, covered holes , broken bones etc etc.
Do you understand, the city of Peru is responsible. Do we have the adequate insurance to cover such good will and stupidity.
Thats what it is all about..MONEY, which this city does NOT HAVE and most importantly someone getting hurt.
Good Judgement not BAD Judgement is for adults to demonstrate not ignore for the sake of doing a deed that appears good but could put people in harms way.
You are saying that only paid city workers can be allowed to clean up the city.
No Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or other volunteer organizations. Every year there has been a group to sweep the Illinois River banks for trash, that would be illegal also according to your theory. The city bus is used for shopping and daycations without a problem. Sounds like you are looking for something to complain about.
Sounds like you would prefer that Peru turn into a dirtier town and remain so.
That's right 3:07. Don't forget that the horticulturist uses the city bus to take people out of town to flower gardens and shows.
I think this was a geat idea and I applaud those that volunteered... My questions is this; Does the city of Peru have an ordance about littering and dumping garbage, and if so is it enforced? If some of the people that are dumping their trash onto the roadways are stopped and ticketed maybe the littering would stop!
3:07 Perhaps you should go back to read the 9:03 post left by the Alderman. I do believe his comment that states "Liability forms are filled out by the volunteers" is pertaining to city liability. It sure seems to me by reading the Alderman's post that he had all of the the safety for the volunteers and liability for the city covered.
And the comment by 11:37 I see this movement by the Alderman to be a "lead by example" from a public figure. Sorry but, I don't see it as narrowly minded as you do. If this was 2 weeks before the election I could say that "maybe" but what does he have to gain when his next election is like 4 years away.
You negative people need to quit being so paranoid and look at the glass half full. Since you can't beat this you my as well just join him and Volunteer yourself.
Besides, what I read about Alderman Perez, he seems to be all about volunteering.
I am always amazed at the McDonalds leftover garbage I find in my area of town about a mile from the fast food restaurant. I know this is impossible to prevent unless this town develops an attitude that this will not be tolerated and if seen you will be fined.
But I believe all that litter is being tossed out of car windows. Also while out walking, I noticed the number of cigarette butts laying along the curbs. I can't keep people from smoking so how do we keep the butts off the street?
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