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
For your information, there is a new download in the lower right corner of the city web site called Total Compensation, listing of SOME salaries in the city.
Brian: I think this is something different and new. What's usually in the paper is just salaries listed by categories (i.e. 25,000-40,000). I noticed that none of the fire department engineers are listed. Wonder why.
It is also interesting that our Chief of Police makes more than some Navy Admirals and Superintendendt of Public Works makes more money than senior Navy Captains. Both Navy positions adminiter hundreds, if not thousands of employees and have much greator responsibility.
yeah brian, i realize that looks like a lot of money but a lot goes on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of. The chief has so much responsibility and the town has very little crime and we all feel safe at night which no one can put a price on. I realize your worry especially in these hard times, but lets also remember that these are appointed positions and the chief of police deserves what he has earned.
I think all of you owe Mayor Harl a apology. The cost of the street signs was reported at $1400.00 in last nights paper. That was the total cost? And the land for the concert was only a few acres? Does anybody actually have the sign bill, lumber bill, staff hours. Or the actual airport acres and cost?
Regarding the concert, since there is no final agreement to my knowledge, nothing can be obtained by FOIA. The Public Property minutes give one figure, Mayor Harl gives another and I believe the report from Chamlin may give another, this is regarding the acreage. Is anyone else starting to think that everyone involved is having to spend too much time and money for a Rock Concert that will ultimately end up costing the city more money than what we get in return? this is not even good public policy let alone not a good financial deal for the city. The promoter yes but not the city.
just saying it is interesting how much less the military gets compensated as compared to other federal and local government positions.but i suppose it evens out on the back end when you add the ability to have a second career while collecting benefits.
Lois, its may be much more than a simple concert. Your talking about taking income producing public property for the purpose of sweet deal. And utilizing pulic funds for the purpose of signs that are nothing more than campaign tags. You must have some laws violated.
Just found some interesting information. The State Journal Register has a searchable database for City of Springfield employee salaries. The Springfield Chief of Police makes $118,000. The Director of Public Works makes $110,000. Not that much more than City of Peru salaries. The population of Springfield is 118,000.... just something to think about...
Brian appreciate your research from The State Journal Register. The method of comparison clarifies who is at the extreme high end of the pay charts clearly. another interesting comparison would be the population of Peru in comparison to Springfield at their peak hour of the day. Springfield has a lot of non residents daily and at times Peru has very few.
Rodney or Sherry, I posted a question for either/both of you and have not seen a response from either of you. I was questioning the "senseless overtime" that was made available to some city workers last Saturday. I had asked for one of you to respond (I know at least you two city council members read this site). Just to refresh your memory, it was in regards to the city employees emptying garbage cans in the park on Saturday...hopefully this jogs your memory. I would appreciate (along with several other tax paying citizens, I'm sure) an explanation. I hope you both question these types of matters. I can assure you both if I had the capability to attend council meetings, I would. However, I have a disability that keeps me confined to my home. Please bring these types of matters out in the open and inform all of us tax payers. Thanks for taking the time to read my comment. Sincerely, William Oh, one more thing. Are the council meetings ever going to be broadcast so others like me can view the meetings?
1:21 am I see no reason why we have to pay overtime on Sat. when they could be emptied just as easy Friday afternoon on their regular hours. I think it's just another poor management decision this Mayor and his appointed head of public works. Either this Mayor sure doesn't know how to run the city like a bussiness (if he did it would be more effectively run) or he's a crook and letting his buddies make extra money. Hate to say it but we can't wait until next April.
12:21 and others. I think what is even more disturbing than emptying garbage cans on Saturday (O.T.) is the fact that they were emptying the SAME garbage cans that they had emptied on Friday. I find that inexcusable.
What happens if a picnic is on a sat. and the cans are full for sunday? Then people will complain why aren't there empty cans in the park? Some people are never happy!
These are selected inaccurate salaries and do not include the mandatory on call or overtime. Why list these on the web site? Smokescreen for real wastes of money! How many picnics in March or even January?
What happens if it snows, rains or the world comes to an end? Anon 2:35 this is all about cutting expenses in a reasonable manner without sacrifice to anyone. If those same cans are emptied on a Sat. morning as have been emptied on a Friday and there is a picnic on a Saturday afternoon how is this going to enable the can to be empty for a Sunday picnic? Bring along a couple of garbage bags to the park and move the cans to the side. At this time of the year how many people and picnics are at the park? You should have signed your comment as if but and maybe. Being that you want executive service you should pay a surcharge of two city employees for four hours at time and a half instead of the taxpayer. How are you going to like paying for a ticket to enter the Illinois state parks. No I will never be happy with people who believe the government should provide them with all amenities from the womb to the tomb! Although I have much more to add I'll simply close with that you are living proof that you can't fix STUPID!
At this time there are no other alternatives. I personally don't feel paying overtime is the way to handle this but as for now this is how the city handles it. Last summer i made a comment about having a Tuesday- Saturday shift to avoid the Saturday overtime, I was told changes such as work day schedules would be discussed during contract negotiations.
As far as viewing council meetings from home is a great idea! I have looked into Live-Stream Broadcasting and believe we can get this done at a reasonable cost. I have been researching this idea and will soon be bringing it to the attention of the council during the "Strategic Planning Process." If for some reason the council chooses not to implement "Strategic Planning" I will present the information during a regularly scheduled meeting.
Interesting alderman Perez says "As for now" this is how the city handles it" I think the alderman for-sees a change in leadership within the city of Peru? Harl Bleck and Pothoff call the shots. As long as they are in power there would be No change. " At Least For Now" Anyone else catch that?
Work day shifts are a responsibility with the Mayor/Super. This is called management. Let Rodney manage the city. He has the backing of the employees. Look how well run the fire department is under Rods watch. He gets a paycheck as a firefighter and also is the Head of the Committee? Thats management.
regarding police salaries in illinois cities 10000 to 100000 population, the average pay increase from highest ranking officer to chief is 20% in peru it is almost 50%. easy to verify!
PVAS's 3rd accident in the last couple of months? Hope they're off of the city insurance, but since their directors vehicle is still driving around on city plates, I doubt it!
Put all of your Ducks in a row and don't get too many running for mayor or Harl will get reelected. Change is definitly needed even if it went back to Baker.
We as a city need someone to run the town. Not a mayor that hides in his office a couple hours in the early morning. We need someone to discipline his supers and employees. Its just as managing a warehouse. The boss manages his department heads and workers and the department heads manage the workers. The boss needs to check to make sure everyone is working or he's gonna get it from the board ( the citizens ). I still see Baker riding around checking on things like he used to do before. Not saying he was the best mayor but he was always around checking on things. Keeps everyone on their toes. There will be less slacking and more working. Harl can't run a town if he's never here.
Three characteristics which Mayor Baker possessed to a extreme where aggressiveness, good judgement and strong business ability. Anon 2:10 The DPW under Mayor Baker made $103,000 on his last year of thirty plus years of longievity in this particular position. The individual presently occuping the position is being paid $87,000 per year in less than his third year in this position. He also received a $6,000 a year raise after his first six months on the job so take $80,000+ for starters and a $6,0000 per year raise for thirty years which will total over $260,000+ per annual salary and compare this to the PWD during the Baker administration of $103,000 for his last year of service after accumulating over 30 years of senority on the job.
So quite a few people on this blog keep chanting for a new mayor. Can anyone answer this quetion; who will run against Harl? Very simple question....can anyone give a straightforward answer?
Anon 4:31 It is much too early with the present political conditions in Peru for a worthy candidate to declare herself /himself as a candidate for Mayor.
anyone has to be better than the current mayor, this city needs help, we need someone with a vision, someone who is supportive of the residents of this city not someone out for his own agenda, i am embarrased going through the city -has lost its spark that is for sure
Peru needs someone with vision and a plan that is not somewhere between a $3,000 bicycle path to nowhere, a swimming pool, electric plant and a downtown bank which have been eyesores to Peru for over two years and campaign signs informing citizens who to thank for the roadwork they are paying for etc., etc., etc.,.
AMEN 7:52 Those signs need to go. In my opinion they are nothing but an ego trip and campaign promoter using our tax money. I still cannot believe that none of the aldermen were publicly angry or publicly questioned the mayor about them since their titles are also listed on them. In my opinion this shows how our tax dollar can be wasted without approval by anyone.
48 comments:
Why not all? That information is supposed to be published every year. But they typically run it in the newspapaer in ultra fine print.
Brian: I think this is something different and new. What's usually in the paper is just salaries listed by categories (i.e. 25,000-40,000). I noticed that none of the fire department engineers are listed. Wonder why.
It is also interesting that our Chief of Police makes more than some Navy Admirals and Superintendendt of Public Works makes more money than senior Navy Captains. Both Navy positions adminiter hundreds, if not thousands of employees and have much greator responsibility.
Brian, you should get the accurate salaries. Include this year and included from the w-2 forms.
yeah brian,
i realize that looks like a lot of money but a lot goes on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of. The chief has so much responsibility and the town has very little crime and we all feel safe at night which no one can put a price on. I realize your worry especially in these hard times, but lets also remember that these are appointed positions and the chief of police deserves what he has earned.
Those posted on site are outdated.
I think all of you owe Mayor Harl a apology. The cost of the street signs was reported at $1400.00 in last nights paper. That was the total cost? And the land for the concert was only a few acres? Does anybody actually have the sign bill, lumber bill, staff hours. Or the actual airport acres and cost?
Surely someone has the truth and proof of it. It's just a matter of getting them to admit and release this information.
ANON 11:11 If those compensations are outdated what are the true figures and why would the city post these outdated ones now?
Regarding the concert, since there is no final agreement to my knowledge, nothing can be obtained by FOIA. The Public Property minutes give one figure, Mayor Harl gives another and I believe the report from Chamlin may give another, this is regarding the acreage. Is anyone else starting to think that everyone involved is having to spend too much time and money for a Rock Concert that will ultimately end up costing the city more money than what we get in return? this is not even good public policy let alone not a good financial deal for the city. The promoter yes but not the city.
just saying it is interesting how much less the military gets compensated as compared to other federal and local government positions.but i suppose it evens out on the back end when you add the ability to have a second career while collecting benefits.
Lois, its may be much more than a simple concert. Your talking about taking income producing public property for the purpose of sweet deal. And utilizing pulic funds for the purpose of signs that are nothing more than campaign tags. You must have some laws violated.
Might be a possibility and if so I hope it can be brought to light as I am very tired of all the political shannigans at all levels of government.
Brian what is your salary?
8:32 PM
Brian is a private citizen and does not need to divulge his salary.
My military retirement income, which can be easily determined through public sources, was $23,973 for 2011. The amount is pre-tax.
Just found some interesting information. The State Journal Register has a searchable database for City of Springfield employee salaries. The Springfield Chief of Police makes $118,000. The Director of Public Works makes $110,000. Not that much more than City of Peru salaries. The population of Springfield is 118,000.... just something to think about...
FOIA the real salaries. Get wages from the clerks office. Add benefits like insurance, retirement. Then post the actual wages including overtime.
Did u hear of the pvas involved t-bone accident last nite? The news is keeping it hush hush
Brian appreciate your research from The State Journal Register. The method of comparison clarifies who is at the extreme high end of the pay charts clearly. another interesting comparison would be the population of Peru in comparison to Springfield at their peak hour of the day. Springfield has a lot of non residents daily and at times Peru has very few.
Rodney or Sherry, I posted a question for either/both of you and have not seen a response from either of you. I was questioning the "senseless overtime" that was made available to some city workers last Saturday. I had asked for one of you to respond (I know at least you two city council members read this site). Just to refresh your memory, it was in regards to the city employees emptying garbage cans in the park on Saturday...hopefully this jogs your memory. I would appreciate (along with several other tax paying citizens, I'm sure) an explanation. I hope you both question these types of matters. I can assure you both if I had the capability to attend council meetings, I would. However, I have a disability that keeps me confined to my home. Please bring these types of matters out in the open and inform all of us tax payers. Thanks for taking the time to read my comment. Sincerely, William
Oh, one more thing. Are the council meetings ever going to be broadcast so others like me can view the meetings?
William 1:21 AM
That was a very powerful statement and I sincerely hope that the ciy officials are listening.
1:21 am I see no reason why we have to pay overtime on Sat. when they could be emptied just as easy Friday afternoon on their regular hours. I think it's just another poor management decision this Mayor and his appointed head of public works. Either this Mayor sure doesn't know how to run the city like a bussiness (if he did it would be more effectively run) or he's a crook and letting his buddies make extra money. Hate to say it but we can't wait until next April.
12:21 and others. I think what is even more disturbing than emptying garbage cans on Saturday (O.T.) is the fact that they were emptying the SAME garbage cans that they had emptied on Friday. I find that inexcusable.
What happens if a picnic is on a sat. and the cans are full for sunday? Then people will complain why aren't there empty cans in the park? Some people are never happy!
You got the wrong salaries!
These are selected inaccurate salaries and do not include the mandatory on call or overtime. Why list these on the web site? Smokescreen for real wastes of money! How many picnics in March or even January?
GET RID OF HARL!!!! BRING IN SOMEONE WHO CARES FOR THE CITY AND NOT THE UNION OR HIS OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS!!
What happens if it snows, rains or the world comes to an end? Anon 2:35 this is all about cutting expenses in a reasonable manner without sacrifice to anyone. If those same cans are emptied on a Sat. morning as have been emptied on a Friday and there is a picnic on a Saturday afternoon how is this going to enable the can to be empty for a Sunday picnic? Bring along a couple of garbage bags to the park and move the cans to the side. At this time of the year how many people and picnics are at the park? You should have signed your comment as if but and maybe. Being that you want executive service you should pay a surcharge of two city employees for four hours at time and a half instead of the taxpayer. How are you going to like paying for a ticket to enter the Illinois state parks. No I will never be happy with people who believe the government should provide them with all amenities from the womb to the tomb! Although I have much more to add I'll simply close with that you are living proof that you can't fix STUPID!
Lois and William,
At this time there are no other alternatives. I personally don't feel paying overtime is the way to handle this but as for now this is how the city handles it.
Last summer i made a comment about having a Tuesday- Saturday shift to avoid the Saturday overtime, I was told changes such as work day schedules would be discussed during contract negotiations.
As far as viewing council meetings from home is a great idea! I have looked into Live-Stream Broadcasting and believe we can get this done at a reasonable cost. I have been researching this idea and will soon be bringing it to the attention of the council during the "Strategic Planning Process."
If for some reason the council chooses not to implement "Strategic Planning" I will present the information during a regularly scheduled meeting.
Hope this answers your question.
Thanks, Rodney
Interesting alderman Perez says "As for now" this is how the city handles it" I think the alderman for-sees a change in leadership within the city of Peru? Harl Bleck and Pothoff call the shots. As long as they are in power there would be No change. " At Least For Now"
Anyone else catch that?
Work day shifts are a responsibility with the Mayor/Super. This is called management. Let Rodney manage the city. He has the backing of the employees. Look how well run the fire department is under Rods watch. He gets a paycheck as a firefighter and also is the Head of the Committee? Thats management.
Maybe Perez will run against Harl in April? Baker looks better than ever for 2013!
regarding police salaries in illinois cities 10000 to 100000 population, the average pay increase from highest ranking officer to chief is 20% in peru it is almost 50%. easy to verify!
PVAS's 3rd accident in the last couple of months? Hope they're off of the city insurance, but since their directors vehicle is still driving around on city plates, I doubt it!
Put all of your Ducks in a row and don't get too many running for mayor or Harl will get reelected. Change is definitly needed even if it went back to Baker.
We don't need more change ... we need it fixed! !
Before you get crazy, what was the public works director making under the Baker adminstration?
We as a city need someone to run the town. Not a mayor that hides in his office a couple hours in the early morning. We need someone to discipline his supers and employees. Its just as managing a warehouse. The boss manages his department heads and workers and the department heads manage the workers. The boss needs to check to make sure everyone is working or he's gonna get it from the board ( the citizens ). I still see Baker riding around checking on things like he used to do before. Not saying he was the best mayor but he was always around checking on things. Keeps everyone on their toes. There will be less slacking and more working. Harl can't run a town if he's never here.
FIXING IT MEANS A NEW MAYOR AND NEW SUPER OF P.W.
Three characteristics which Mayor Baker possessed to a extreme where aggressiveness, good judgement and strong business ability.
Anon 2:10 The DPW under Mayor Baker made $103,000 on his last year of thirty plus years of longievity in this particular position. The individual presently occuping the position is being paid $87,000 per year in less than his third year in this position. He also received a $6,000 a year raise after his first six months on the job so take $80,000+ for starters and a $6,0000 per year raise for thirty years which will total over $260,000+ per annual salary and compare this to the PWD during the Baker administration of $103,000 for his last year of service after accumulating over 30 years of senority on the job.
So quite a few people on this blog keep chanting for a new mayor. Can anyone answer this quetion; who will run against Harl? Very simple question....can anyone give a straightforward answer?
Ald perez!
Anon 4:31 It is much too early with the present political conditions in Peru for a worthy candidate to declare herself /himself as a candidate for Mayor.
Anon 8:47 Find it very interesting that you reference herself/himself in that order. Sounds like you are in the inner circle. Whats going on?
Herself? ??? Who Merry Noonan.
anyone has to be better than the current mayor, this city needs help, we need someone with a vision, someone who is supportive of the residents of this city not someone out for his own agenda, i am embarrased going through the city -has lost its spark that is for sure
Peru needs someone with vision and a plan that is not somewhere between a $3,000 bicycle path to nowhere, a swimming pool, electric plant and a downtown bank which have been eyesores to Peru for over two years and campaign signs informing citizens who to thank for the roadwork they are paying for etc., etc., etc.,.
AMEN 7:52 Those signs need to go. In my opinion they are nothing but an ego trip and campaign promoter using our tax money. I still cannot believe that none of the aldermen were publicly angry or publicly questioned the mayor about them since their titles are also listed on them. In my opinion this shows how our tax dollar can be wasted without approval by anyone.
Post a Comment