Duties :: DeKalb Township, Illinois
OK since Peru Township does NOT maintain a web site, this is the information from DeKalb Twp. I would think that their Road Commissioner and ours in Peru would have the same job responsibilities. But in DeKalb they maintain 800 miles of road, while we do 7!!
88 comments:
Oh it is 7miles? I thought it was only six. I take back all my criticism. They need to hire even more people.
Not to mention all the office cleaning that needs to be done.
its not up to the township how many miles of road they maintain0- just saying
The point is there is absolutely no need for Peru Twp. to even exist.
agree- but if i have to vote for one person it would be the ones with the experience- just my opinion
Yip!! 7 miles of road. how to find those roads? simple- drive around and they're the worse maintained roads around. start on Pulaski st. in Peru just north of shootingpark road. just follow the huge holes and they'll stop when the Twp section ends. In the winter? just look for the snow covered roads. that would be TWP.
2:44 yes . Since they have such a low amount of road mileage to maintain, they probably get paid much less. No, wait. They are the highest paid in the state. But at least they don't get any crazy health benefits. No wait, they DO get benefits.
Then they must be very efficient distributing funds to the neediest. No wait, they give less than just about any township Anywhere.
I can live without that experience. Do you like to go to the dentist without novocaine? Just saying.
In lynnnwood here. They are kept great. And i go across the shooting part west to east to go to the school. Also maintained well.
It seems this blogger and this blog is offering no realistic solution to the situation...Complain and complain about township existence, you are better to just find a solution that taxpayers can live with you will not be able to change the situation..same as the pickelball same as the mayor! Lois you can complain about it but your better off to get new blood into the system and give them a shot at being accountable since this group is a trainwreck. I am not disagreeing with you that a change is needed but there is no way the city or the county will get rid of the township all together. We will spend weeks wasting our time debating the if we can get rid of township and it will end just like the pickelball debate. A dead end. I would rather see you reach out to the new canadiates and get their information and views so we can make more of an informed choice in April.
WAKE UP 4:23 AND SEE REALITY -- IT'S NOT COMPLAINING, IT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT THE WASTE OF MONEY!
4:23 what is the budget for the township? Do you know what that number is?heAve you read the Attorney Generals response on the path to dissolution?
The path to dissolution will tell the most about the waste, and dissolution will likely be started from the new blood within the township. It sounds as if you have already reviewed all these things.
The Township and the Township Road District are not one in the same. Both are independent taxing entities.
Most of the Township roads are south of the river in around that little unincorporated subdivision close to the country club.
The only easy way to disband the Township Road District is to reduce the road mileage to less than 6(?) (I think). One easy way to do that is for the City of Peru to annex the remainder of Pulaski Street and Shooting Park Road west of the school.
But remember - there are some deals in place. The City of Peru gets a large chunk of the tax that is imposed by the Road District. The Road District also supplements the salt purchased by the City. However, the biggest expense the district has is the payroll for the commissioner.
I would vote for any commissioner candidate that promised to reduce the road milage until the district was dissolved.
But there is another option that nobody wants to disscuss. Why not give the road district all of our streets? Give them all the employees that maintain streets, give them all the trucks, give them all the sales tax, give them all the motor fuel tax. Then we have an elected official that has one and only one purpose - maintain the streets. Just a thought.
good point 4:23
7:45 AM
Very interesting and that brings to mind "How many miles of road exist within the city of Peru?"
People need to start attending the township meetings. They might not be so quick to waste tax money. Joe is the ring leader and its time for the circus to leave town.
Why does the city of Peru pay a company from LaSalle to work on its baseball fields at Washington park. ? They were there yesterday and again today. We don't have employees to do that? What a waste of money. Our Superintendent can't figure out how to do this stuff to save money? ?
Is this Matt Debo, who supposedly won the republican caucus for road commissioner, running for the job and the money or to create the change necessary to eliminate the wasteful spending by this branch of government? From what I hear both caucuses were done with some question added to their procedure.
from what i hear no 1204- and i hear he is not even that qualified- is he gona devote his full tie and leave his biz? i hear mr patelli was contacting the A G due to how it was run
11:34 I saw them cutting the grass in the outfield of the senior diamond yesterday. Whoever was doing it, it obviously did not need cutting let alone pay another company to do it. Didn't we just recently buy an expensive special lawnmower just for the baseball fields?
The AGs office has been contacted on numerous issues regarding Peru and Peru Township. It is a waste of your time; their office is unconcerned, uncapable or corrupted.
No action from Madigan's office is indeed an action! You can wipe your ass with the correspodence that you receive from any Illinois Government agency.
No longer a believer.
Yard Pros II was cutting the grass and doing other things to the fields. It seems Peru keeps hiring more and more people and contracts out more and more work. I thought there was a hiring freeze but there are at least 12 new employees and I never saw an ad for the city hiring. Obviously these new employees are someone's relative and the lawn service is owned by someone's relative also because I never saw it go out for bid either. But all they will say they don't have to go out for bid because its under a certain amount. That's a line of crap! It all should go out for bid! Better yet make our employees do some work!
4:29 sorry you have not gotten more satisfaction from your inquiries. I have had more success, and I think they are usually pretty good about pointing you to past opinion and directions on proper procedure. I am sure they will send us the info we requested.
They are selective about where they prosecute, as is the states attorney, but that does not mean they cannot be a valuable resource. Often their prosecution follows investigative journalism, and that is where I have found the greatest support.
Speaking of Peru wasting money why do they stock fire wood at the Parks garage at Washington park? All I see is employees taking it home. How much does that cost us taxpayers? Because they buy it from someone. I guess anyone can come take what they need or is it only for employees? They never used it there before. Is this just because the bill payers never question anything and another example of departments doing whatever they want to? Peru leaders suck at running this town! It must be nice to be a superintendent or a supervisor or even an employee in the city of Peru because nonone questions what you do or buy. Are city officials scared of everyone or just scared they might lose a vote? Pathetic!
5:22
Inquiries? Her office is about protection: protecting the elderly, protecting the consumer, protecring the environment, protecting our children-PROTECTING ALL THOSE OF ILLINOIS. It is NOT about being selective to prosecute and valid issues of "protection" should never be investigated by a government office based on locality or b/c an investigative journalist pushed the issue.
You must be one of the democrats who has become accustomed o how the dysfunctions in the political system have become the norm thsnks to the Chicago machine.
Your comment was asinine.
Doug Biederstedt has a Yard Pros sign in the yard at his office. Maybe there is a connection there? Also I was at the republican caucus and I heard Patelli say he would not take the pension or insurance that goes along with the position because he doesn't need it. That would have saved some money.
6:27
Well, I think asinine might be a bit harsh, but if that is your opinion, that is your opinion. If you believe that any government branch of prosecution does not have to prioritize it's agenda, and that is not politically influenced, some might consider you naive.
Thankfully, I rarely make such judgements based on blog hosts.
Many local governments have corruption, and the AG office is deluged with reports and complaints. The local governments often count on the fact that most of their violations are treated with slaps on the wrists. Just as this blog puts pressure on the voters to act, well done investigative journalism often forces the limited AG resources to act. Take the recent T shirt charity scam. A few consumers may have complained, but I believe the articles spurred the AG to launch a full investigation.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant, but there is nothing wrong with being practical about how best to shine it.
The consumer fraud division literally gets tens of thousands of complaints a year. Do you honestly believe every one gets investigated?
I am not one of those democrats you seem to hate, but I do have strong connection and history with the investigative journalism field, and respect their capabilities and profession. If that makes me asinine, so be it.
I'm sure Doug wants to cut ties with Joe. He is all to familiar with his corruption and waste.
I wonder how many complaints there where about Rita Crundwell before somebody listened.
Doubtful. Dems stick together. And doig and joe have known evh other freber. Thats why they ran on a slate. And i was at the repub caucus. That is not true about patelli
I knw doug. Gurantee no connection
They are working again on the field at Washington park on a Saturday. Someone tell us why city employees can't do this? STOP WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS! !
Just drove past Washington Park. Yard Pros is pulling a rolling drum behind their truck. My question is why isn't our horticulturalist doing this work? What does he do all day now that planting season is over and there is no snow to plow?. He makes over $50k per year and spends most of his time in the city truck driving around or sitting on his computer. Lois, you should FOIA his time sheet to see how he spends his time. Harl's first order of business after he got elected should have been to fire that lazy well paid nephew of Don Kowalczyk, and that's one reason I will not vote for him. Bring on Mike Hart. He won't put up with this waste!
Why are we working on the senior league diamond in December and where are the city workers who are in charge of the parks? I'm sure we spent extra time and money preparing the diamond for central states. Where's the new special lawnmower we purchased for the ball diamonds? Can someone on our city council please explain this apparent waste and spending of our tax dollars?
LP uses that diamond the most, if they got so much money to piss away make them do the work! !
If no one knows how to prepare a outfield and that is including the Superintendent of Public
Works it is time for someone to be put in charge that knows something. How this man ever was appointed to SPW at $90,000 plus per year is a government crime. I wouldn't trade Bleck, Watts and two already been chewed Topps gum for a good 11 year old Little Leaguer.
The ball diamonds were just recently totally redone. They were also watered, fertilized and tended to for central states. Isn't Russ Schmidt in charge of the diamonds and once again why are they being redone in December and by an outside business? Did we have extra money in the budget to blow on baseball in December?
Peru is the biggest joke of the valley !! At least Baker brought business to Peru. Yes he was corrupt but Peru came first before his pockets.
I hope someone has answers as to the questions above. Please Lois for all of us ask them at the next meeting. I dare them to smirk!
2:15 PM
It is no longer a time to ask questions, it is called public comment and it means just that you tell them what is on your mind and without further comment the Mayor will say next. They do not have to answer questions because it is not question and answer time. I don't know where you get answers anymore unless it is with a foia to the city clerks office.
Where's the open and honest part of our government if citizen's are allowed to ask questions but no one answers them?
You should be able to get answers from your aldermen. Call them!
Ok then Lois do not ask a question just make a statement. At least it will be on record.
3:11 tried that. didn't work.
10:22 -- You are right! I backed Harl, and what a mistake! This guy has to go. Anyone else is going to be a HUGE improvement. Let him move to Italy!
3:19 have the guts to go and do it yourself. Asking Lois or Kristy to take all the heat is not fair. Let's all go to the next meetings. Let's fill the chamber. Even if you don't ask a question or make a statement let them know we give a damn what they are doing!
I know 6:59, but I think deep down those aldermen really like Lois. How can you help not like her? And I do like your idea of filling the chamber. I will go if you will!
9:51 & 3:13
Doug is far more corrupt - he is the one who puts his buddies in open appointments.
I hear Doug asked Debo to run. It was a politician at his best. Leave Joe on the slate knowing, he doesn't stand a chance against Debo. Planted the seed in Debo's ear.
10:56 AM
Many people believe just the opposite that Debo doesn't stand a chance.
i ahve to agree- i dont believe debo stand a chance- just too many people know and like joe
i know for a fact doug did not ask debo.
If it was just Joe running he might have a chance. However people associate Joe with Jim Dooley. They all see Jim driving around. The trucks burning gas just to justify a job. Joe has made the township the laughing stock of Peru.
Joe will win. Just how it is. He is a good guy. Always willing to help
Joe is the poster child of the saying "If you want something done find a busy man". How he can keep up seven miles of road and still have time to help others is truly amazing.
To think this poor man does all this for the measly sum of $60,000 plus per year and the biggest benefit package in the city.
Peru officials if they had to justify each and every occupation would take over the seven miles and eliminate the township road com.
4:32pm
Joe will win. Just how it is. He is a good guy. Always willing to help...yep he is ready to screw the taxpayers, taking his $100 stipend to go to the monthly meetings in Utica and his buddy Dooley sleeping on the job out by south bluff and his kid joe jr cleaning bathrooms at township office for half a day!!
Always wiling to help to do his job. Isn't that great, how willing he is to do his job. It would be horrible if he took his money and was not willing to do his job. He wouldn't be helpful then, or a good guy.
Where I came from, doing your job was expected. He appears to be grossly overpaid and has excessive benefits. Its a job, not public aid.
Thats the govt fault. Not his
It's a job, not public aid. Where is the line drawn to seperate this political occupation from public aid, $60,000+pay per year and a bag full of silver for benefits? Herman the Munster would turn into a good old Joe for this treasure at the end of the rainbow!
Township Road Commissioner is not the only position which should be analyzed in Peru city and township government. The assistant building inspector still sits at city hall along with the SPW naming their hours at exorbitant amounts of pay.
Peru is in dire need of a Contoller-Hatchet Man who considers it his/her responsibility to get some mileage for the taxpayers money. This would be the initial start of drawing the line between recognizing public aid from a political job. Historically no one else has wanted to do it.
Anon 2:04 He is the gov't, and yes it is his fault. It is the governments fault and your fault, my fault and everyone elses fault for allowing this to happen.
First of all where is everyones pride? Secondly why are all the rethreads ending up in government jobs? It is saturated with people who cannot succeed doing anything else!
The real problem is that people such as yourself actually believe it is the governments fault not his or theirs! The next time you survey your taxes ask whose fault it is. If you have any children 21 to 50 years of age ask them what kicking the can down the road means to them.
he's doing the job- my road out across the river is taken care of.
12:42 what if doing his job was putting two cinder blocks on top of each other all day? Or petting puppies?
Should we say stop this nonsense? Or should we use classic old school union mentality to say that was a hard fought battle to get the living wage and benefits for doing this job? Then blame the management for letting it happen as the city goes under.
He should take a look at this job and say I am paid too much and do too little. But who does that? So that is why a practical city manager will need to slash and hack non essential services.
still does the job
My answer to still does the job is so does the newspaper carrier. now why doesn't my newspaper carrier get $60,000+ per year like good, old Joe? The problem today is that you don't need a gun to rob the people and their alibi is someone is going to fill the job so it might as one of the good old gang. Keep kickin that can, your children and grandchildren will pay for it.
just sayn- if i had to vote for one it would be joe- nothing will change if the other person wins- so vote for the one who gets the job done
Vote for someone else who vows to reduce the wage and work to reform or eliminate the position and township.
how do we know he vows? everyone thinks if new ppl are elected that they are gona change it- its not- and why would he run and put money into an election if he wants that position cut? give me a break.
My family lives south of the river on a township road. Sure we see them driving by several times a day . Just last week I etched them drive right by a huge pile of garbage in the roadway. Thanks to citizens like us we picked it up. I can't remember the last time they out a new service on the road that falling apart. Whomever runs against the present guy has our vote.
3:33 you would not have to run hard if you ran on the platform of reducing the salary and eliminating the position. Just say it and people would vote for you if you explained the waste, and the need to eliminate it from within.
There are people who would take that job for half then gladly work to phase it out over their term. You would not know them, because you and your kind call them stupid, but I call them decent and sincere residents of Peru.
i live south on the river too- they just paved in last year. so 6:22 either doesn't know what she has seen- or lives on a county road instead of a township road- or is making this story up.
I most certainly do live on a township road. As far as bring paved they have not paved Lynwood's roads in years. All they do is drive on them. The edges are the road are falling away the rock next to the road is gone. If you youngsters dropped a bicycle tire of the edge they would tumble. But I believe our minds are made up. I' think it's time the people in the subdivision band together come and look through the bills. I would live to see how much was paid to pave a road that never got done!!!
9:52- so your trash fell over and you wanted them to pick it up? really?
good luck with that 9:53
Can someone please post the time and date of the next township meeting.
7:14 It would help if you opened up your mind for tours, or hired a translator so normal people could be in on your terribly clever comments.
9:52 just said that anyone who ran on a platform of reducing the salary by 50 per cent and exploring elimination of the wasteful township positions would win. That is true.
Next meeting is Monday December 17 at 4:30 pm. Expect to see the current twp and all the new canadiates in attendance
9:52 PM
You are right, the group vowing to reduce salaries will win, hocking is ring leader and he will continue to raise salaries...these jobs are all part time. Road commissioner needs to work. Dooley and jr need to go!
I saw township truck swerving on bottom road to avoid road kill the other day aren't they suppose to pick it up
i actually saw them pick it up lol believe it or not.
joe will get my vote- experience is key
The only experince Joe has is wasting tax dollars!
I don't believe it junior!!! Stop posting
6:14pm is Dooley don't be fooled we see you sleeping out on the south side of the river, you think your parked far enough back. Can't wait for NewsTribune to print those pictures.
11:37- I wont say who i am- but i am a female and not "junior" so sorry to burst your bubble. joe has plenty of supporters- so dont think they arent going to show up on here if you bash him....sorry
545- dooley cant use a comp you kidding?
Joe sr is ripping taxpayers off...look at Wauponsee township in Morris, IL...34 miles of miles of road almost 6 times the amount of roads and the Road Commissioner makes $28,125 a year.
Not the commish. Its the whole township!!! Not just one person. Doesnt matter who is in it
Any new in the township meeting last night?
none.
Can anyone post a copy of the road commissioners monthly report. I'm sure he abides by state law and turns in one.
would love to thank commish joe for his prompt response with the snow thur night and friday morning on shooting park- thank you!!
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