If you take the time to read the minutes of the various committees, you will find that is where the business of the city is conducted, open to the public but never covered by any reporter and so many people do not see what is going on. This is why we seem to have so much controversy in the city, decisions are made and sometimes the decisions are made by unelected members and never brought to the council for discussion.
There may have been an ordinance passed regarding Concerts for a Cause but how many of you have seen that in print. Games have been played for almost a year about the fireworks, remember this was to go out for bids but the Recreation Commission once again the decision makers, waited so long that other companies were booked for that day and they got who they wanted as usual. This is the same committee that had Chamlin look into an additional diamond at the cost of $3,000 and then decided to try for a grant to build another diamond for $100,000 and if the grant is not given, we have just thrown that money out. Again all of this without your elected representatives approval. You have no voice in the way business is frequently conducted because that is the way Peru does business.
And now they are removing tennis courts just because that is what THEY want.
34 comments:
How do you get on the committee is by appointment by the Mayor. You don't need to run for office. Its not a democratic process, its simple appointment. Library Board can raise your taxes by a simple appointment. You serve for your own pleasure because you don't have to be elected by your peers. You promote your own cause. If you want to spend money on pickelball because you like to play, go ahead its not your money. And who cares? You don't have to have a reason or answer to some resident that may have a better use of those tax dollars. Most of the residents who are involved on the boards are people who care about the various board they represent. Its the few that make a mockery out of public service for their own benefit. Reading the minutes of the rec. committee makes me wonder about those personal agendas(salary increases for summer help, pickelball ambassador, taking tennis courts out of use for the neighbors) The fireworks sounds like it was done in a very professional manner.
And what happens when an outsider volunteers for a board or commission? Won't happen unless your on "Team Harl."
3:50
Let's compare the appointed Library board to the appointed rec commission:
1. Library board members are up for re-appointment every 3 years. Rec members - never.
2. When library board talked about tax increase it was discussed, debated, argued, and finally voted on by full council. When rec board wanted to eliminate tennis court not only did they pass it it was not even presented or mentioned to full council.
3. The tax increase for the library is constantly being put to use to benefit all citizens of Peru and surrounding communities (both old and young). The transformation of a tennis court to a pickleball court only benefits pickleball players. Leaving it as a tennis court benefits many!!!
4. We give our tax dollars to the rec commission and let them do with it as they please. They are accountable to no one. I don't know about you but I think this is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
Why does this surprise anyone? After all the pool is in ruins, the airport is now Woodstock, Water Street a war zone, stores leaving town and were worried about a tennis court?
I would like to convert Washington Park to a Dog Park. Would I be able to join the Park Commission and volunteer to be the Dog Ambassador? Then buy a bunch of dog playground equipement and declare Washington Park for Dogs only. We could bulldoze the ball fields and not even have to get feedback from the residents? I live across the street and have two big dogs, it would be ideal. Is this how the 28th street tennis courts will be eliminated?
Precisely 9:31. Unless citizens call their aldermen and their aldermen put a stop to it so they can discuss it at full council. This process of resurfacing could be done today or tomorrow without anyone being aware of it. Once that's done the tennis court will only be useful to pickleball players and those who have the equipment.
Anon 9:12 Thank you for supporting the library. Those that use it know how valuable it is to the community. The staff and volunteers do a wonderful job.
I am sure that the Mayor has been involved and gave his approval for the removal of the tennis courts. And the new ballfield. These members of the recreation board don't just fly off with new projects.
Another year has passed and Peru has basically the same problems as they had at its start. Peru has a spending problem, its representation are professional money spenders. In retrospect Peru's' sales tax should not have been increased but possibly decreased until these officials learn to live within a strict budget as most house wives have to. It is sad that Peru has had too much money and has never put any of it away for as rainy day.
11:04 AM
If Mayor Harl is aware of everything in the Recreation minutes, than I guarantee he is in bigger trouble than anyone realized. As the leader of the city you must be public and not make backroom dealings with committees. This is the age of instant communication and any elected official should be aware of this and conduct himself accordingly and with respect toward the citizens of this city.
mOST OF THE MAYORS CRONIES ARE ---- KISSERS AND WON'T GO AGAINST HIM BECAUSE THEY MIGHT GET REPLACED OR WORSE GET THE BLAM FOR SOMETHING THAT WENT WRONG IN HIS PLANNS . NEVER DID LIKE UNIONS THEY ONLY TAKE CARE WHO THEY WANT ! SOUND LIKE OUR MAYOR ! BUTT LETS NOT FORGET ABOUT OUR OTHER ELECTED OFFICERS THAT JUST SITT THEIR AND COLLECT A PAY CHECK AND LET THINGS GO ON . I WONDER IF ANY OF THEM HAVE THE ----- TO STAND UP AND SAY JUST WHAT THEY THINK ? MAYBE THEY CAN'T TILL THE RIGHT PERSON TELLS THEM OR PULLS THEIR STRING ? MAYBE ITS TIME FOR A WOMEN MAYOR ?
I think what most people forget is we control appointed boards by who we elect as mayor he makes the appointments which are then aproved by the council. So we have to complain to them to do something about boards when we don't like what any board is doing and the mayor and council can remove and reapoint someone else whom will do what he or she is requested by our elected officials. Either the mayor is in agrement with the board that is not acting the way we want or he can't control them either way he is NOT doing his job and it's time for us to let him know that this coming April and VOTE HIM OUT.
The Mayor's response will be "I had no knowledge of what was going on". That seems to be the canned quote of Mayor Harl. I find it a bit alarming that he will tell you he doesn't know. When you in charge of a city "knowing" is your job. Maybe he will hang the rec. committee out to dry or the city committee in charge of Parks. It won't be his problem.
1:26 He knows about all these things that were discussed at the last rec commission meeting. HE WAS IN ATTENDANCE. He had a chance to speak up for all the citizens of Peru and not just for a handful. He had a chance to tell the commission they should bring their suggestions to full council for consideration and discussion. Apparently he didn't.
1:55PM
And they wonder why people do not vote in city elections or even nationwide. What good does it do, you vote for whom you think will be responsible people looking out for the welfare of the city and shortly after that they forget how they got there. So disheartening! Again and again and again.
@Lois- I spoke to Alderman Perez today as he came out of walmart to get his opinion on this. I especially wanted his thought on the bidding for fireworks.Perez told me the council hasn't seen or approved the bidding for fireworks yet I asked if there was a way around them having to bring the bidding to the council. He said they already tried that by Bob Ankeiwitcz telling the council last week that the Bid came in at $19,900.00 I asked if he read the minutes because the recreation awarded the 20,000.00 bid to the same company they have used in the past.He laughed and said "SORRY IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY, AT LEAST NOT ANYMORE." Lois,I don't think he was very happy especially after he told me it's time for the council to micro manage the Recreation funds.
Perez for Mayor !!!!!!
Perez for Mayor !!!!!
ANYBODY BUT RODNEY!!!!!!!!!
BOB
The Mayor was at the meeting and if he said nothing, that would indicate approval. Perez wants to micro manage the rec. committee, but does nothing about expenses of the areas he is suppose to oversee as a Alderman. Perez knocking the rec. department is nothing new. Its all about his firework show at Baker Lake. Remember the residents wanted the fireworks according to Perez, and then for some reason nobody wanted the fireworks. Either he spoke to the residents or the 200 who signed the petition NOT to have the Baker Lake sideshow must all have been wrong. 5:54 ANON Talk to the Mayor before you make a judgement, and please consider the source before you get the real story.
Perez vs Harl.....what a choice for Peru.
11:23 AM
Most people in Peru are thanking Ald. Perez for looking into a situation that must change with the recreation commission. They can make all the suggestions they want as far as recreation goes but the decisions should be made by the full council, not the commission and not the mayor. All money decisions must be removed from their jurisdiction as they have truly shown their colors and lack of responsibility to the taxpayers of this city Enough is enough and they would all be wise to the fact that their spending days are coming to an end. The taxpayers of Peru thank those aldermen who will be looking into this and it won't be only Ald. Perez, I assure you.
This has nothing to do with the Baker Lake exploration last summer, this is about poor decisions and wasteful spending.
Lois,
I understand the concerns on these posts.
I was questioned on my way out from Wal-Mart yesterday by one of your bloggers I have never met. She did post most of what I told them, however I didn't realize I came across as upset; I'm sure my concerned response may have came across as surprising to someone that doesn't frequent our meetings.
As I mentioned to her- In my opinion, one of the biggest obstacles we face is not the individuals serving on these boards, or committees.."it's the lack of communication" of information and details, which then leads to poor decision making-at the cost of the city, which then leads to un-necessary debates during council meetings leaving our city stagnant," prolonging moving forward and getting things done."
Possible solution:
A "Strategic Planning Process" will not only be a blue-print of the vision of our city, which includes an "Action plan" of how, and when we get there according to the short and long term goals of the entire city's needs,and wants.
My point here is simple!
Because the following needs, and wants would be within the blue-print of the plan:
New trucks, equipment, resurfacing courts, special events, 175th, Fireworks,etc)
north Peru-fire, police, ambulance sub-stations, implementation of recording council meetings, tourism attractions,( re-development of waterstreet) park improvements, abolishing of park board, downtown development, street and sewer improvements, hiring of a city manager, etc.
There is much more to this than I can post, but Every family, business, and municipality needs to have a realistic plan of goals based off a vision for the city.
Sorry,IMO Mayor requires full time attention, "Not for me." I love my full time job with Wal-Mart and educating our youth.
Thanks,
Rodney
Lois,
A bit difficult doing this on a 4 inch phone screen.
Correction: 2nd to last paragraph:
"Every family, and business needs to have a plan and set goals."
"Every Municipality needs to have a realistic plan, and goals based off a vision for the city.
Thanks,
Rodney
Abolishing Park Commission? I guess that will go as well as abolishing the ambulance?
@1:15 I can rattle off 50 reasons for an Ambulance Service. Can you name one purpose for a park commission? My 13 year old can't work on patients but I assure you he can schedule a parade and organize some summer events while saving the city the 12,000.00 they pay the park lady to do. No purpose for a park board like Peru has.
Rodney,
You micro manage all the spending of all the city departments. I will talk to all the alderpersons
I know, and make sure they scrutinize every expenditure you want them to make for the fire department and that operation of yours.
Also didn't you vote for the study that cost tens of thousands of dollars to get the wards split up so they had equal number of persons in each ward? Now you want to throw that money out the window and get 4 at large aldermen?
Why so we can have 5 aldermen from one ward. Then they can get what they want done in that ward, and the others cant vote it down? Or just so you can get enough votes to go along with all your other wasteful ideas?
By all means.... spend my tax dollars for a consultant to come in and do a strategic plan. Knowing full well you cant get enough money together, to get the things the city really needs accomplished.
Freido
The vote was yes by all the aldermen on the redistricting of the ward because it was mandatory by law.
The odds of having all the aldermen from one ward are that it would be a one in a million shot. But then if they were good, I wouldn't care. Most city problems are NOT ward problems but city problems. Most people in your ward have never contacted your alderman and if they did that does not mean he/she will vote as you wish.
Freido,
I read your post and wonder about the defensive stance,and threats made to "contact other aldermen to scrutinize every expenditure I want them to make for the FD or Operation Prom-ise"?
No pun-intended but that is about the most silly statement I have ever read.
Let me explain why it comes across so silly to me:
1.If you have that much control, and influence over our city officials..Thinking you can influence other aldermen to scrutinize expenditures for the communities Public Health and Safety? then Blago screwed up by not seeking you out years ago.
Note: Judging off your post you seem to be quite familiar with crooked politics and there's nothing I love more than turning over those rocks and stomping on slugs that hide underneath.
2.There is not one sentence in my post that states my plan is to "micro-manage" "every" department.
Note: Only departments that can't seem to spend, or play according to the rules should be micro-managed.
3.The council,mayor,nor the president of the United States can scrutinize the Expenditures of "Operation Prom-ise" Now...If the City of Peru tax payers were flipping the bill for this campaign... that is supported by four community high schools,Fire,police,judges,city,state,and federal officials,along with thousands of teenagers and parents throughout Illinois and abroad; then i would give you credit for such a statement of yours.The fact is- "Every penny spent has been donated" by the hundreds of contributors of this event which is hosted through the Peru Fire Departments Public Education Officer who is "ME"..and NO,I'm not compensated a penny for doing it.
I would recommend if you want this program scrutinized to take it up with the many lives it has already changed.
4.Strategic Planning "consultant"- Not sure where you picked up the word "consultant" in my post.Unless you were at the last council meeting to hear that word then I'm not sure where you came up with it. Fact: I did mention at the last meeting that a facilitator was invited by me to give a brief presentation of "Strategic Planning" but this will be "no cost" to the City of Peru,however, If the council chooses to have a facilitator lead the charge than there are many out there to choose from.
The facilitator I'm bringing in, I have worked with in the past and he is offering to come in to talk the importance of strategy.
Putting a Strategic Plan together can be done with little or no cost to the city.
5. Lois answered your concerns with re-district costs,and at large.
Freido- Thanks for expressing your concerns,and frustrations.I hope I was able to shed some light on your issues.
Sincerely
Rodney Perez
815-245-7566 24/7
Rodney
Never been in politics, dont plan on starting any time soon. However, I have donated countless hours to our community youth over the years, and never once asked for anything in return.
I do however, know how to spot a grandstander, or a person who is out to grab all the spotlight that is available....
I and many other people in this town, see this person when we see you. You are are the person that seems to be trying to imitate Blago.
Freido
6:52Pm
After watching this city for many years, it is a pleasure to see someone like Ald. Perez who is working to make this city a better place. This is in contrast to some of the other things taking place in the city now and having taken place in the past.
He is trying to open some windows for all of us to see how our city spends our tax dollars. Sometimes wisely and as we have seen lately not so wisely. To show some honesty instead of back room dealings. It is truly a pleasure to see him and a couple of the other aldermen trying to save your your money and mine.
Of course this idea has not reached all levels of our city government yet.
Freido,
I've got some news for you.. If you're posting on these blogs, then " you're involved in politics."
You seem to know political definitions such as "Grandstanding" so you just may be a natural politician and not even know it.
The "Grandstander" has a political agenda.. and tends to put themselves first, regardless of who gets trampled on in the process.
If you take 5 and get to know me you'll understand the only agenda I have is to do the right thing and only trample things that get in the way.
It seems you and I have alot in common; such as
volunteering, working with the youth, and politics.
I'm open minded and can work with anyone that plays fair.
Im looking for volunteers with big hearts and the
passion to make a difference in our children's lives.
I understand we all have busy schedules but an hour here and there helps out a great deal.
Freido-Would you be so kind to step up and help this great cause?
Volunteers needed!
815-245-7566
Thank you!!:-)
@Alderman Perez: This conversation between you and Freido was becoming entertaining. Great job on handling him. I was once told " be kind to your enemies and they will go away" point proven!
I am a voting citizen who monitors most of the city politics. As my personal budget is getting tighter, I want to make sure that the recipients of my hard earned wages are spending the money in the most efficient means possible. Being from a management background in a company that has survived decades of ups and downs, I applaud Rodney for asking about every $1 that is leaving the city checkbook. Some of you may call it micro-manage, we call it good managerial planning to sustain survival. We have used his theories and that's why we are still in business today. Not too many people can brag that they are "still making it" in today's world. I for one, will admit, that I am very disappointed in the spending habits of all the administration these past 2 years. I see total disregard to the rules and laws of the state when it comes to a lack of bidding. I see quite a bit of "hush hush" behind the scene's conversation where decisions are made. I see our leaders avoiding questions that should not be difficult to answer if there is nothing to hide. Cities and government are no longer exempt from failure. We have to be smart about our spending habits. It is time to buckle up and "suck it in" for a while until the economy gets better. Thank you to all the Rodney's of the world questioning the status quo. Damn, just think about what happened in Dixon. Some clerk found something and brought the situation to the public. Wonder if something like that has ever happened in Peru. Hmmm??
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