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.
Monday, August 06, 2012
Peru Township and Nothing Peru City Can Do About This
The Peru Township either needs to go, or the administration needs to go! The Peru citizen that originally called this out a couple months ago needs to run for that commissioner seat and turn it around. That article in today's paper made me SICK!! Typical Peru corruption. Can anyone recall who the citizens were that called them out in that last investigation? I will endorse them to run. 9:38 PM, August 06, 2012
Remember - in order to make Peru Township "go" - all townships in LaSalle County would need to "go" and the County Government would need to change to a commission form. Along with that, local represenation at the County Board could go away and Ottawa would control the board. In the seventeen commission counties there are three or five elected commissioners. Commissioners now serve rotating six-year terms with one elected every two years (55 ILCS 5/2-4006) from the county at large. However, based on our current County Board contingent, I don't think it would make much of a difference.
Remember this quote as we go to the election booth.."Yes we are on the higher end..The economic environment right now is tight so I'd like to keep salaries constant" Michael Hocking, News Tribune June 19, 2012.
The township officials are out of touch with the current situation because there has never been a challenge to their positions.
I have looked over and over at the expenses and tax levy by the Peru township and YES We can make our township more efficient and more effective...
So Peru township has one full time employee and they pay them a whooping 21,973 a year. And this is a problem because what? If you figure it out that's about $10.50 an hour. I'm sure no one is getting rich at 10.50 an hour. And Lois as to your argument about typical Peru corruption is invalid as the city and township are two separate entities.
Also I don't believe you will find the resident who first brought this up, as the News Tribune reported they wanted to remain anonymous.
Re: June 19, 2012 News Tribunes article. Michael Hocking, you should slither under a rock where it is cool. And you should be ashamed of yourself. Also, are you a realtor in the Illinois valley? The picture in this same article spoke millions in my opinion too.
Let's see Peru township has one full time employee and they pay them $21,973.00 a year. And this is a problem because? Figure it out, that's about $10.50 an hour. I don't think anyone is getting rich at $10.50 an hour.
And Lois your stamens about typical per corruption is invalid as Peru and Peru township and two totally separate entities.
10:49 AM This was not my comment, it was reposted because it was appropriate for this topic, you will also find the same comment under another topic heading. It was written by anon, I just forgot to take my signature off.
The whole story is that Peru has given out only 4% for assistance and given out so much more in salary and benefits. Who are the political players in this game? How much do the elected players get? Why so little to those in need?
It would be interesting to see if the full time employee and the cleaning service for the township are related. Or if the rental assistance was paid to anyone who has "connections" within the City and actually owns the properties the rental assistance was utilized for in Peru.
Found the name of the guy from the article a few months ago that called this out. Matt Mc Laughlen" I say we search him out and ask him to take it on. If he can call it out, then he can fix it.
Who are the names of the township board officials that allowed this outrageous injustice to happen to the public. Publish their names over and over again!!! At election time, publish their names over and over AGAIN!!! Apples don't fall too far from the tree.
There is so much more unethical behavior at Peru Township then has actually been reported by the N-T. Why did the investigative reporter not mention that the Road Commissioner has his son on the payroll for around $8,000 a year cleaning the bathrooms and other silly and insignificant duties? Why was it not reported that the full-time office person's husband is also on the dole for a couple thousand a year for "cleaning duties" also? That office must be really dirty. Why did the N-T not report more specifics as to how it is that Bob Vickrey is being paid one of the highest salary and benefit packages in the state for a Township Clerk while performing no actual duties? Why can't the Township Clerk perform the office duties of the mysterious "office employee"? You folks really have no idea just how dirty things really are in Peru Township!
9:43 Please give us specifics before you cry girty tricks. Names, officials, money, campaigns, who, what, where and when? Cleaning duties, salaries of the elected spots. If they were elected or appointed. Who are these politicians that control Peru?
Name Address City Zip Phone Supervisor Hocking, Michael A. 1009 Peoria St (o) Peru 61354 223-5464 Clerk Vickrey, Robert F. 1009 Peoria St (o) Peru 61354 223-0746 Assessor Biederstedt, Doug 1105 Peoria St, POB 465 Peru 61354 223-1212 (h) Highway Commissioner Oscepinski, Joe 317 Green St Peru 61354 223-6749 Trustee Hyson, Jack 1 Park Place Peru 61354 Trustee Radtke, T. William 1604 10th St Peru 61354 Trustee Bernabei, Douglas P. 3030 12th Street Peru 61354
Lots of crooks on that board from Hocking right down to Bernie! ! Anything to get rich at the citizens expense! ! bet Hocking won't be selling too many houses any more.
No wages attached of the assessor, supervisor or clerk. Was one of them a operating engineer? Why would you need a assessor if you have one for the county already? A clerk if you have a fulltime office person?
Matt Mclaughlin was elected to the county board but never showed up for half the meetings- expecially when he would have to vote on anything controversial. Also, Matt McLaughlin's dad is Highway commissioner at dimmick township and Matt worked for his dad as does Joe Oscepinski's son work for him. Is this the pot calling the kettle black
Since La Salle Twp is looking much better than Peru Twp. I would like to thank these officials for doing the job that they are supposed to do.
Name Address City Zip Phone Supervisor Ellerbrock, Theresa 931 First St (o) LaSalle 61301 223-0807 Clerk Ambrose, Sandra 931 First St (o) LaSalle 61301 223-0809 Assessor Pytel, Mary Kay 931 First St LaSalle 61301 223-0820(w) Highway Commissioner Cioni, Joseph Virgil 5 Crosat St LaSalle 61301 223-3424 Trustee Siekierka, Nancy 136 Chartres St LaSalle 61301 Trustee Martin, Jeffrey 1879 Hennepin St LaSalle 61301 Trustee Soens, Jerry 337 Creve Coeur St LaSalle 61301 Trustee Loebach, Mary Ann 1015 26th St LaSalle 61301
From this web site you can access any twp. http://www.lasallecounty.org/ctyclerk/officials/twnshps/lasalle.htm
I did a study on the township last year with 5 years worth of FOIA documents. Here are a few of the points from 2010:
Township Supervisor Bret Brown May 17, 2010 $1836.24 New Supervisor Mike Hocking June 21, 2010 $2485.21
April 13, 2010 $1250.00 Peru Volunteer Ambulance
August 16, 2010 $1337.21 Bob Vickery Salary
Office employee salary is/was indeed paid from Peru Township General Assistance Fund and the Peru Township Fund each month June 21 $1052.58 x 2 June 21 $1159.09 office assistant medical reimbursement
June 21, 2010 (not certain of actual wage only what the check was issued for-curious is anyone has ever asked for minutes of meetings if they actually occur monthly) Doug Bernabie $223.38 Doug Biederstedt $1662.43 Jack Hyson $230.88 Joe Oscepinski $2037.21 William Radke $192.02 Cleaning Service (same last name as office personnel) $350.00
And of course let us not forget, Rorie Schweickert, wife of City Attorney Doug Schweickert, prepared the annual accounting documents for the township...and the ambulance previously...and Liberty previously...
Documents are not wrong-figures were taken from monthly check registers and are monthly highlights NOT a yearly total. I assumed since I posted different months people realized they were monthly sums for salaries thanks for clarifying.
I said I did a study of 5 years worth of FOIA documents, I didn't day the information I posted was 5 years worth of information.
I said here are a few points from 2010 indicating highlights or points of interests. Perhaps people don't realize the township only pays expenses once a month so salaries, benefits, etc are monthly not yearly or every 5 years.
I realize there is nothing illegal about people who volunteer their time on a committee or committees in Peru or who even happen to be a department head being asked to serve on the township board. But Damn, I do believe it is unethetical to be involved in both areas of government. Do we have so few people who would attend a twp. meeting once a month and spend at the most one hour at the office.....I think you might have a line of qualified individuals lining up. And now it sounds like the twp. commissioner is also the mayors campaign manager. Government by a few for a few!
Thanks for the correction. I wonder who set the groundwork for last nights meeting as the assessor was present. Harl did not appear to be on the right path last night.
Harl is probably thinking about his new job working for beiderstedt. Both vehicles are at the assessors office all the time. You can tell them apart because the assessor only has a back license plate which i believe is illegal in illinois. right bernie?
they are probably trying to figure out how to raise property taxes in a declining real estate market. the got all they can out of sales tax - time to stick it to the home owners.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThe Peru Township either needs to go, or the administration needs to go! The Peru citizen that originally called this out a couple months ago needs to run for that commissioner seat and turn it around. That article in today's paper made me SICK!! Typical Peru corruption. Can anyone recall who the citizens were that called them out in that last investigation? I will endorse them to run.
9:38 PM, August 06, 2012
OUT WITH PERU TWP. ALLTOGETHER--SUCH A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY! TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THE PAYROLL WITH VERY LITTLE TO DO.
ReplyDeleteRemember - in order to make Peru Township "go" - all townships in LaSalle County would need to "go" and the County Government would need to change to a commission form. Along with that, local represenation at the County Board could go away and Ottawa would control the board. In the seventeen commission counties there are three or five elected commissioners. Commissioners now serve rotating six-year terms with one elected every two years (55 ILCS 5/2-4006) from the county at large. However, based on our current County Board contingent, I don't think it would make much of a difference.
ReplyDeleteThey have very little to do and get a big paycheck for it. I think their wages are way out of line.
ReplyDeleteLets in peach Harl and city council and the peru township for not doing their jobs acording to state laws ! A Peru tax payer !!!
ReplyDeleteRemember this quote as we go to the election booth.."Yes we are on the higher end..The economic environment right now is tight so I'd like to keep salaries constant" Michael Hocking, News Tribune June 19, 2012.
ReplyDeleteThe township officials are out of touch with the current situation because there has never been a challenge to their positions.
I have looked over and over at the expenses and tax levy by the Peru township and YES We can make our township more efficient and more effective...
So Peru township has one full time employee and they pay them a whooping 21,973 a year. And this is a problem because what? If you figure it out that's about $10.50 an hour. I'm sure no one is getting rich at 10.50 an hour. And Lois as to your argument about typical Peru corruption is invalid as the city and township are two separate entities.
ReplyDeleteAlso I don't believe you will find the resident who first brought this up, as the News Tribune reported they wanted to remain anonymous.
Who are the personnel in this township and what are their links to the City of Peru. The elected leaders that make these choices, who are the players?
ReplyDeleteRe: June 19, 2012 News Tribunes article. Michael Hocking, you should slither under a rock where it is cool. And you should be ashamed of yourself. Also, are you a realtor in the Illinois valley? The picture in this same article spoke millions in my opinion too.
ReplyDeleteLet's see Peru township has one full time employee and they pay them $21,973.00 a year. And this is a problem because? Figure it out, that's about $10.50 an hour. I don't think anyone is getting rich at $10.50 an hour.
ReplyDeleteAnd Lois your stamens about typical per corruption is invalid as Peru and Peru township and two totally separate entities.
10:49 AM
ReplyDeleteThis was not my comment, it was reposted because it was appropriate for this topic, you will also find the same comment under another topic heading. It was written by anon, I just forgot to take my signature off.
I don't think its the fulltime employee wages that are the problem. Its the elected officials and those wages, benefits. Post what they make!
ReplyDeleteThe whole story is that Peru has given out only 4% for assistance and given out so much more in salary and benefits. Who are the political players in this game? How much do the elected players get? Why so little to those in need?
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see if the full time employee and the cleaning service for the township are related. Or if the rental assistance was paid to anyone who has "connections" within the City and actually owns the properties the rental assistance was utilized for in Peru.
ReplyDeleteMore to come.
Kristy
Found the name of the guy from the article a few months ago that called this out. Matt Mc Laughlen"
ReplyDeleteI say we search him out and ask him to take it on. If he can call it out, then he can fix it.
I believe that full-time employee makes closer to 40,000. The 21,000. Is just being taken out of the assistant fund.
ReplyDeleteWho are the names of the township board officials that allowed this outrageous injustice to happen to the public. Publish their names over and over again!!! At election time, publish their names over and over AGAIN!!! Apples don't fall too far from the tree.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much more unethical behavior at Peru Township then has actually been reported by the N-T.
ReplyDeleteWhy did the investigative reporter not mention that the Road Commissioner has his son on the payroll for around $8,000 a year cleaning the bathrooms and other silly and insignificant duties?
Why was it not reported that the full-time office person's husband is also on the dole for a couple thousand a year for "cleaning duties" also?
That office must be really dirty.
Why did the N-T not report more specifics as to how it is that Bob Vickrey is being paid one of the highest salary and benefit packages in the state for a Township Clerk while performing no actual duties? Why can't the Township Clerk perform the office duties of the mysterious "office employee"?
You folks really have no idea just how dirty things really are in Peru Township!
Who are the trustees, clerks, supervisors of Peru Township and what ties do they have to Mayor Baker?
ReplyDelete9:43 Please give us specifics before you cry girty tricks. Names, officials, money, campaigns, who, what, where and when? Cleaning duties, salaries of the elected spots. If they were elected or appointed. Who are these politicians that control Peru?
ReplyDeleteName Address City Zip Phone
ReplyDeleteSupervisor Hocking, Michael A. 1009 Peoria St (o) Peru 61354 223-5464
Clerk Vickrey, Robert F. 1009 Peoria St (o) Peru 61354 223-0746
Assessor Biederstedt, Doug 1105 Peoria St, POB 465 Peru 61354 223-1212 (h)
Highway Commissioner Oscepinski, Joe 317 Green St Peru 61354 223-6749
Trustee Hyson, Jack 1 Park Place Peru 61354
Trustee Radtke, T. William 1604 10th St Peru 61354
Trustee Bernabei, Douglas P. 3030 12th Street Peru 61354
Peru Township Officials
Matt Mclaughlin needs to run for the commissioners spot. Dig up the dirt and now allow him to fix it.
ReplyDeleteLots of crooks on that board from Hocking right down to Bernie! !
ReplyDeleteAnything to get rich at the citizens expense! !
bet Hocking won't be selling too many houses any more.
No wages attached of the assessor, supervisor or clerk. Was one of them a operating engineer? Why would you need a assessor if you have one for the county already? A clerk if you have a fulltime office person?
ReplyDeleteMatt Mclaughlin was elected to the county board but never showed up for half the meetings- expecially when he would have to vote on anything controversial. Also, Matt McLaughlin's dad is Highway commissioner at dimmick township and Matt worked for his dad as does Joe Oscepinski's son work for him. Is this the pot calling the kettle black
ReplyDeleteSince La Salle Twp is looking much better than Peru Twp. I would like to thank these officials for doing the job that they are supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteName Address City Zip Phone
Supervisor Ellerbrock, Theresa 931 First St (o) LaSalle 61301 223-0807
Clerk Ambrose, Sandra 931 First St (o) LaSalle 61301 223-0809
Assessor Pytel, Mary Kay 931 First St LaSalle 61301 223-0820(w)
Highway Commissioner Cioni, Joseph Virgil 5 Crosat St LaSalle 61301 223-3424
Trustee Siekierka, Nancy 136 Chartres St LaSalle 61301
Trustee Martin, Jeffrey 1879 Hennepin St LaSalle 61301
Trustee Soens, Jerry 337 Creve Coeur St LaSalle 61301
Trustee Loebach, Mary Ann 1015 26th St LaSalle 61301
From this web site you can access any twp.
http://www.lasallecounty.org/ctyclerk/officials/twnshps/lasalle.htm
I did a study on the township last year with 5 years worth of FOIA documents. Here are a few of the points from 2010:
ReplyDeleteTownship Supervisor Bret Brown
May 17, 2010 $1836.24
New Supervisor Mike Hocking
June 21, 2010 $2485.21
April 13, 2010 $1250.00
Peru Volunteer Ambulance
August 16, 2010 $1337.21
Bob Vickery Salary
Office employee salary is/was indeed paid from Peru Township General Assistance Fund and the Peru Township Fund each month
June 21 $1052.58 x 2
June 21 $1159.09 office assistant medical reimbursement
June 21, 2010 (not certain of actual wage only what the check was issued for-curious is anyone has ever asked for minutes of meetings if they actually occur monthly)
Doug Bernabie $223.38
Doug Biederstedt $1662.43
Jack Hyson $230.88
Joe Oscepinski $2037.21
William Radke $192.02
Cleaning Service (same last name as office personnel) $350.00
And of course let us not forget, Rorie Schweickert, wife of City Attorney Doug Schweickert, prepared the annual accounting documents for the township...and the ambulance previously...and Liberty previously...
Kristy
Looks like the women from LaSalle Twp get the job done. Maybe Peru Twp needs to follow their example. Get some women in there to fix this mess.
ReplyDeleteYou got the wrong documents Kris. Those are monthly. Please post yearly and include the benefits.
ReplyDeleteKristy, Thats not that much money for 5 years of work.
ReplyDelete9:43 prove it or shut up.
ReplyDelete8:59
ReplyDeleteDocuments are not wrong-figures were taken from monthly check registers and are monthly highlights NOT a yearly total. I assumed since I posted different months people realized they were monthly sums for salaries thanks for clarifying.
Kristy
10:40
ReplyDeleteI said I did a study of 5 years worth of FOIA documents, I didn't day the information I posted was 5 years worth of information.
I said here are a few points from 2010 indicating highlights or points of interests. Perhaps people don't realize the township only pays expenses once a month so salaries, benefits, etc are monthly not yearly or every 5 years.
Kristy
I realize there is nothing illegal about people who volunteer their time on a committee or committees in Peru or who even happen to be a department head being asked to serve on the township board. But Damn, I do believe it is unethetical to be involved in both areas of government. Do we have so few people who would attend a twp. meeting once a month and spend at the most one hour at the office.....I think you might have a line of qualified individuals lining up. And now it sounds like the twp. commissioner is also the mayors campaign manager.
ReplyDeleteGovernment by a few for a few!
not the commissioner- its the assessor beiderstedt
ReplyDelete2:32 PM
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correction. I wonder who set the groundwork for last nights meeting as the assessor was present. Harl did not appear to be on the right path last night.
Harl is probably thinking about his new job working for beiderstedt. Both vehicles are at the assessors office all the time. You can tell them apart because the assessor only has a back license plate which i believe is illegal in illinois. right bernie?
ReplyDeleteRumor has it now that Harl retired from local 150 he is working on his appraiser's license.
ReplyDeletethey are probably trying to figure out how to raise property taxes in a declining real estate market. the got all they can out of sales tax - time to stick it to the home owners.
ReplyDelete