As many of you know I worked to help elect Scott Harl as did numerous others of the community. We believed all his promises and waited for them to happen, particularly the public forums where he would listen to our concerns as residents of this city. If memory serves me right he had one or two public forums, strictly controlled by Mayor Harl and only aspects of his proposed road program could be discussed. Nothing else and once he got his program through the council, he certainly had no need to hear from any of the residents again.
And now the contrast:
On Sunday Mike Hart had a Meet and Greet the Candidate at the Peru Eagles. The day was cold and many folks are still ill with the flu and other winter illnesses but he had a nice crowd of interested people. I was particularly impressed that he not only visited with the people but took time to hold a question and answer Public Forum, no limitations and no controlled topics. If it was on your mind, he took the time to tell you what he thought. Mike will do a repeat of this again and hopefully with better weather even more people will avail themselves of the opportunity to meet him.
21 comments:
Lois, How many people turned out?
Real numbers please.
It is important to understand how many people are concerned enough about local politics at this time of year.
The failure of Scott Harl to fulfill his campaign promises and his personality swing away from those who donated their efforts to establish him as a city leader will justify his final political stand of 2013. DEFEAT!
I do question your statement that once Harl got his program through the council he certainly had no need to hear from any of the residents again. I seriously doubt that Harl ever got his program throuth the council and that if he had a program it was blessed by his union representation more so than the city council or city residents.
Candidate Hart should acquire the knowledge of the powers of the office of Mayor such as political appointments and than follow through with what he feels is best for Peru. This why a person in charge is elected - LEADERSHIP.
I was there and my best guess without counting is between 35 and 45 people showed up throughout the 3 hour event.
There was over 125 people at Sundays Meet Mike Harl Day. This is a very conservative figure. A significant percentage of those in attendance are people who vote not those who don't and show up after the winner is declared.
Lois,
Read your contrast between the two candidates with interest. It appears to me that there were some key elements that were omitted, though.
Specifically in regards to Mike Hart, three descriptive adjectives I would use to describe Mike would be as follows:
1. Intelligent
Mr. Hart discussed a multitude of topics of concern in the City of Peru. He presented a short history of each and then a
logical well thought out plan of addressing solutions to resolve the issues.
2. Respect
Mr. Hart took time to consider other viewpoints other than his own during the meeting and did not belittle those that did not agree with him. Rather, he took time to consider differences of opinion other than his and suggested constructive comments to those that disagreed with him. He did not force his opinion onto others.
3. Kindness
Mr. Hart took the time to make a point to greet each and everyone that attended the meetig - particularly those that had difference of opinions than his. Some people define this as "character".
In contrast, after viewing the videos of the council meetings on this blog and on the City of Peru website, the immediate word that comes to my mind in describing Scott Harl is "bully".
Mr. Harl's agressive and bullying tactics became quite evident when he addressed Linda's husband at the pickleball council meeting, addressed the business owners along Venture Drive at the intersection council meeting, addressed Linda herself at the Operation Promise council meeting, remained silent when Alderman Ferrari went off on Linda and when other council members tried to belittle Alderman Mayszak.
Is that how we want our Mayor to conduct himself in public while representing the citizens of the City of Peru?
I, for one, do not want this man to represent me.
8:29 PM
It sounds even better coming from a Peru resident who is not administering this blog. I agree with you on all points and would like to say I was immediately impressed with his intellect when I first met him and I would like to add that he has a great sense of humor also. Not laughing at you but with you. Mike would certainly improve our city government without a doubt.
I'd like to hear his position on the current fire chief and democrat police chief? Will he keep them, if he is for change he gets my vote?
I have to wonder if it would only take a few signs strategically placed around town to remove the current administration from office. I would place a sign on Dairy Queens corner announcing that the intersection disaster occured during this administration. I would put a sign pointing to the Peru pool indicating that it was shut down during the current administration. I would put another sign next the fiasco down on water street reminding every driver that goes past that awful eyesore who was in office the last few years. I would put another sign next to the airport reminding everyone that the current administration help to fund a private business give money to a religious school in another town to fund their private education program. I would put up another sign with a picture of a little postcard that says something like "want to talk at your city meeting, put your name on this card and we might let you speak." Am I forgetting anything?
9:56. You're forgetting pickleball.
I to wonder how Mr Hart would handle his appointments with departments. My opinion is that there is a ethical way to make appointment is to have an open application process.
Does anyone have facts in regards to when Mayor Harl came into office as Mayor of Peru and when he made the appointment of Mr. Jeff King as Perus Fire Chief? Were applications available for any persons to apply? Curious as to how Mayor Harl made this appointment to a position, and all appointments that he made. Shouldn't anybody be
allowed to apply for a paid position in our city???
Just heard something about Baker running only because if he wins and for some reason (obvisious reasons) he can't fulfill his duty then Potthoff will be appointed? Is this true?
11:00 PM
That is one question I don't believe you will get an answer to, lets say it is a possibility, isn't it? I think it is a possibility. If he won and Ankiewicz was still on the council, that would probably be the first Baker choice as they are good friends.
Actually I meant if he should happen to pass on, what happens then?
Dave Potthoff would become mayor as he is now the most senior alderman.
who would get in if any of the persons running for mayor if something happened to that mayor? what is the obsession with mayor baker dying-is really quite sad that is all you people can think about
According to municipal code any member could be elected to become the acting mayor if there is 28 months remaining in the unexpired portion of the term or less than 130 days before the general election.
Who elects or chooses the candidates and who votes on them?
If I read it correctly then the candidate(s) would be one of the current alderman and they would be elected from the remaining alderman
Prior to the Operation Promise regarding the accounting methods and seeing how council members can be so disrespectful to other alderman and to the public Mr. Hart will get my vote for mayor. And I will vote for a new alderman for my ward. This arrogance at council meetings of certain persons has to stop, and the only way for change is to vote . Peru is not that little town anymore where a few mouses lived, it has mice now, because many more citizens are involved in the governing of it. Good Luck Mr. Hart, hoping that you will be Perus next mayor.
6:20 what ward are you in?
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