A group called Blood Sweat and Gears spoke up as soon as the meeting was opened and asked for a donation of $1000 and that is another story in itself which I will post on later. Mayor Harl immediately went to city business after that and I raised my hand to mention that public comment had not been asked for as I and another person had questions on a topic on the agenda. To my absolute amazement, Mayor Harl stated you could only speak if you had prior permission from an alderman. He did not seem at all interested or care if we had anything that needed to be mentioned. I do expect more courtesy from our elected officials as after all they are working for us and not for themselves. Is Mayor Harl only working for some people?
It appears that Mayor Harl has made changes in secret without informing the residents who attend or perhaps he decided he did not want any tonight. Protocol does not exist in Peru and neither does respect for the people of this town.
More to come because this is not the end of the meeting discussion.
15 comments:
Lois: If the mayor made a change eliminating public comment at the beginning of the meeting how come the representatives from Blood,
Sweat, & Gears got to speak? I looked up the agenda and they are not on it.
Doesn't surprise me. As a taxpayer to the city, I was wondering if the mayor and the alderman share letters that are directly sent to them to all the council members that may not have received them???????in regards to city employees!!! Or does the mayor have secret meetings in regards to letters that were sent to him!!! Also. At last nights council meeting regarding donations: Rodney, are u kidding me. Why are u "nay" on voting on issues that are a "no brainer" these are small donations were talking about that's not going to break the city! You must like your name on the news and in the paper!!!! Why not suggest to cut spending on ads in the news tribune that advertise who the city's mayor is and who the alderman are!!! Oh, that would not have your name in paper then. I'm not saying you are not doing a good job as a alderman, but maybe you should listen and use better judgement when issues are voted on. Rodney, u didn't bat an eye on the fire department issues over the last several months and ur on that committee!!!!!! They spent almost $30,000 on a command vehicle that wasn't need, u didn't balk then! Compare that purchase to these donations. And the other issues with the FD.,!
I thought the reps from Blood, Sweat and Gears were a little bold when they addressed the council. One even stood upon during council discussion and spoke without permission given (and rather rudely I might add). The mayor allowed that to happen and didn't say a word.
Lois, who gave the rep from Blood Sweat and Gears permission to speak?
hurry up re election time, get this guy out, has no business being in the position he is in, the city is in shambles, such a shame
I decided to research the process by which the additional public comment came about.
At the December 14, 2011 under new business, Ald. Perez asked that Public Comment be allowed at the beginning of council meetings. Mayor Harl stated that he would allow time right after Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meetings on a case by case basis.
What does that mean to you, not much to me and certainly not clear to the general public.
I then checked each agenda from Dec. 19 until Feb. 13 and this what I found.
Deb. 18 not on the agenda
Dec. 28 on the agenda
Jan. 4 not on the agenda
Jan. 11 on the agenda
Jan. 16 not on the agenda
Jan. 25 on the agenda
Jan. 30 not on the agenda
Feb. 8 on the agenda
Feb. 13 not on the agenda
Now someone does not appear to be aware of what is going on at the council meetings. Is this a problem created by the city clerk or is the mayor telling him to only allow every other week? In either case the inconsistency is very apparent and someone has a problem.
Last night Mayor Harl said you had to talk to your alderman in order to make a public comment. What is he talking about, he had never ever made that requirement. That was a requirement in the past but I have not see it in use for many years.
Is this a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing?
If they can't get something this simple done, how can they can anything done?
The car show people that spoke could only be recognized by the Mayor but it actually was so confusing that no one could actually contribute to the mayor or one of the alderman.
I would like to add that on the weekend preceding the last council mtg, the city web site was down and no one was able to see the agenda for the council mtg. on Monday let along contact your alderman. Out of touch city officials is about all I can say.
A couple weeks ago in the News Tribune. I saw a read a FULL PAGE that was thanking all communities fire departments who assisted Un the westclock fire. Who paid for this Full page ad????? Was it really necessary if the city of Peru paid for ad. A small ad would have shown just as much appreciation. Prior to this full page ad it had already been set in stone that there was going to be a dinner at the Eagles to show appreciation. It makes no sense that small donations from the city of Peru to organizations was even a issue. Who paid for ad and how much was it???????? Did News Tribune
Not charge the city/fire department for ad??? U do know that a small classified ad in the tribune is outrageously priced. I agree with blogger quit paying to advertise mayor and alderman in paper, that can save the budget.....
Lois,when talking to you Monday nite after the meeting I stated that public comments were only on the agenda every other week. Looks correct to me. Also the chariable donations are taken from the pillow tax fund. Approximately $10000. For some reason the remainder is deposited into the General Fund to be used as needed. Guess where its going. The road fund. Wonder why? This money is devirred from visitors, friends and relatives who stay at the motels within our city. Why not increase the charitable amount given from this fund and let the city figure out how to cut costs and save money.
Mike & Lois: The purpose of public comment at the beginning of a meeting was to allow the public to question or better understand an issue that was to be discussed or voted on at that particular meeting. If it is only going to be allowed every other meeting that defeats its' purpose. I believe the mayor also stated that you had to request permission to speak. I do not recall any of these stipulations when this topic was first discussed in the Dec. 14th council meeting.
4:36 PM
It seems the rules only apply to some and I do raise this question since the Mayor knows me and that I maintain this blog,was it a deliberate way to keep my comment from being put forth?
Since 2 individuals had been allowed to speak some courtesy should have extended.
It would be so simple to have a sign in sheet requesting a few minutes for a comment each week that could be given to the mayor when the mtg begins. Not every other week but every week.
The Mayor promised to eliminate 2 meetings a month and that was not done and since they still meet every week, any citizen should have the right to make a comment each and every week. You have a concern, the council is at city hall, why not?
ACLU - AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION:
The ACLU is a very active group of professionals who are always interested in discrimination cases. This organization has a true love of unfair political manipulations and bullying politicians. It would take one phone call to activate the Chicago branch to travel 100 miles southwest on Interstate 80.
Why were the representatives from Blood Sweat and Gears allowed to speak if there was not a public comments on the agenda? Lois, you have a legitimate reason to pursue this matter further.
The mayor of this town has no right or knowledge to run any town , not even a town as small as Piety Hill ! This town has no consistancy in any department or organization as noted by the happenings over the last year alone . The voters will display their disgust the next few elections ! So pad your pockets now , because all of you are on borowed time .
Amen !
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