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.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Message From the Peru Township Independents
The Peru Township Independents are a group of four Peru Township residents who are dedicated to the task of challenging the incumbent elected officials of Peru Township in the upcoming local election on April 9th, 2013.
The Independent candidates and the positions they are running for are Travis Nelson for Township Supervisor and Art Rigby, Mary Landseidel, and Eddy Mitchell for Township Trustees. These Independent candidates have been researching Township records using the Freedom of Information Act for several months which have exposed a consistent and long-standing pattern of waste and abuse of tax dollars by current township officials.
The Peru Township Independents intend to reform the way Peru Township government is currently operated. That reform can only be achieved when a majority of current township officials are replaced by Independent or Republican challengers.
The Peru Township Independents will use every available forum to encourage Peru Township reform, including this blog. It is our intent to present information to inform the voters of what we have learned about Peru Township.
As Independent candidates we will be accessible during the upcoming campaign and will be glad to speak to the concerns of township residents. Please visit our website at www.reformperutwp.com
Below is just one example we have of the failure of the current Township Elected Officers and Township Trustees. Salaries continue to skyrocket and in the last 4 years General Assistance is almost non-existent.
Year Salaries General Assistance
2000 $131,003 $15,722
2001 $136,485 $27,373
2002 $147,989 $29,883
2003 $155,745 $39,907
2004 $155,420 $33,353
2005 $179,597 $30,727
2006 $170,619 $28,268
2007 $204,337 $14,356
2008 $204,337 $4,755
2009 $221,028 $2,450
2010 $241,371 $1,231
2011 $249,389 $2,398
Source:
Annual Financial Report State of Illinois Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka
It seems almost criminal that during some of the most harsh economic times, aid has evaporated. Their excuse , that the poor and suffering do not bother or want to fill out proper applications or apply for work reminds me a little bit of some dialogue from Scrooge in a Christmas Carol.
ReplyDeleteIf they wanted to find a way to use the money for others, to help the poor, they could.
I wish you all the success in the world in your attempt to reform this organization.
If that isn't criminal, I don't know what is.
ReplyDeleteWasn't chuck studer running for trustee as well?
ReplyDeletetownship does need change- but art rigby def is not the answer- especially how much money he cost lasalle county
ReplyDeleteid like to see some of the credentials for these candidates- sure reform is needed- u can say about that any form of govt- i just dont wanna b voting new people in with no knowledge of the job.
ReplyDeletetownship may spend alot- but those roads are well maintained- jsut noticed that as one of their goals- thats not the prob though.
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to set up or post times and dates where people can register to vote. I think a lot of people are sick of our corruption and want these people replaced. However most aren't registered voters, yet.
ReplyDeleteShame on you Peru Township. These individuals are greedy! They have done nothing to help people in need. We have many people in need. LaSalle does a great job with helping People in need. Perhaps Mike Hocking could donate some time in LaSalle to learn. It appears he has done nothing but boost salaries!!!
ReplyDelete9:04 AM
ReplyDeleteI just talked to our city Clerks office and you may register to vote at that location as the city clerk and several of the employees are qualified. You will need 2 different types of identification. Perhaps a drivers license and something else, perhaps SSN or a work related ID.
8:16 am I agree this year the roads have improved unless you have to drive on the portion of n Pulaski st that is maintainec by township and drive it like I have to. At what cost are the road repaired $1200 in gas monthly a supervisor, full time employee and a part time employee doesn't make smart business sense at all. I will vote for new blood because according to what I see it can't get much worse!
ReplyDelete11:01 AM Chuck Studer is probably running on the Republican ticket.
ReplyDeletethen this should be labeled as "Peru Township Candidates", not independents
ReplyDeletegoing to be hard to any indys or repubs to get in
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know how much harl has for his campaign
8:14 there are very few public works jobs that cannot be learned in a few days, at most a few weeks. At those salary figures, they can afford hire any expertise they would need.
ReplyDeleteGet rid of Peru TWP. It is NOT necessary with the few miles involved! Put the workers with city employees. No more super and no more board members! MONEY MADE!!!
ReplyDeleteToo bad there is no candidate for the deal of the century Township clerk position. And he's running for two offices? Nice payment for the campaign manager. Are we really paying somebody $30,000 with no administrative experience? Taking notes at a meeting? It pays to be the campaign manager. Can't the township supervisor take the notes? Mr. Nelson tell us you can take the notes and save our taxpayer dollars, get rid of the waste. And the arrogance of running for two elected positions, its just greed!
ReplyDeleteBased on what I have seen and read there is a way to get rid of tons of waste..send the secretary and the full time road and part time road employee packing their bags and you are looking at 150k savings between salaries, benefits, and retirement...Huge chance for a change in future
ReplyDeletefrom what i read the part timers do not receive benefits or retirement etc
ReplyDeletemr nelson is tied up with weberski- so be careful what you wish for
ReplyDeleteMr Nelson is running as an Independent and Mr Weberski is on the Democratic ticket and he will be replacing Bob Vickery at the township.
ReplyDelete1:41 You have got to be kidding. A Democrat running for multiple offices is supporting, tied up, running a campaign for the independant candidate? I guess money(two political positions) makes you want power. We need a write in campaign for this secretary clerk position. Anybody who can read or write please apply. No qualifications needed. Benefits, Salary. Lois, this would be a perfect position for a retired senior citizen that has a interest in helping the township. You got my vote, you would do a great job. Please apply.
ReplyDeleteWeberski is running for two offices? Please tell me you're joking. not only does it screw up the fourth ward race but the fact that he wants another political position just isn't right. If he got elected to city council he would just be another "good ol boy". Use your heads people. There may be an opportunity to shift the power in city council if certain people get elected in the 3rd and 4th ward. Think about it. 1st ward may already have an independent thinker as a shoe in, we don't know what is in store with this candidate yet.
ReplyDeleteSorry to tell you 3:17, thats how it works. Thats the rewards of being a campaign propoganda machine. Good ole boy will change to "whats in it for me" operating plan.
ReplyDeleteSteve will steam roll Justin in the 4th ward. Everybody likes him and he's on the same page as Mayor. Go Steve.
ReplyDeleteAND DON'T FORGET CITIZENS OF THE 2ND WARD WE NEED TO KEEP ALDERWOMAN SHERRY MAYSZAK ON THE COUNCIL TO REPRESENT US.
ReplyDeleteThe MOB just keeps getting bigger and richer in this area all the time. No wonder bussinesses do not look at this area!!
ReplyDeleteI justed visited the reformperutownship website. You have to check out Mr Nelsons and Mr Mitchells qualifications. I think the Democrates might loose two spots. I see Mr Mitchell has a college degree in political science. I'm sure he has the knowledge to run a campaign. The information on the website looks very impressive.
ReplyDeleteNelson is tied up with weberski. I have seen them together. No vote!
ReplyDelete6:34 PM
ReplyDeleteYou may have seen them together but the only thing they have in common is that they want to be on the twp and they are presently not members.
and you think no friendship between whos in now, you need to learn more
ReplyDelete4:40 Don't be too sure about Steve defeating Justin. He and the mayor may be on the wrong page for many voters.
ReplyDelete634 are you the democrats that were against steve at the township cacus?
ReplyDelete4:40. I went to school with justin and sorry to tell you but Steve couldn't "steam roll" him or Lukosus. I've seen Justin debate several people twice his age over politics or economics and they couldn't hold a candle to his verbal skills or mental capacity. Go Justin
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the democrats are going to campaign for...we rob taxpayers, hire our family and steal from general assistance funds
ReplyDeleteIt's a little presumptuous to assume Mr. Weberski and Mr. Nelson are friends I have seen Mr. Nelson visiting with several city alderman like Potthoff and Waldorf, talking the Mayor and laughing with Chief Bernabei at city council meetings. In a small town like Peru why would you not build relationships with everyone?
ReplyDeletehard not to think of nelson with you think of weberski- def dont like the 2 office running greedy
ReplyDeleteMr. Weberski didn't have very good judgement being Harl's campaign manager, -- What makes you think he still will not be a Union Pusher? GIMME GIMME GIMME. Free Free Free.
ReplyDeleteI will vote for anyone who isn't in office NOW!!
ReplyDeletei am not voting for any township office period
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:30 Their are alot of voters who feel the same way. The flavor of the day four years ago was change. Change never happened, in fact nothng happened and I am not waiting for another four years. Be smart and don't vote for a present office holder.
ReplyDeletei am voting dem have voted like that for life. just how i am and my opinion
ReplyDelete1130 should i not vote for perez again then
ReplyDeleteI'm a life long resident of Peru. I have supported Joe and let him put signs in my yard. I feel like I have been taken advantage of. I'm not looking forward to him stopping by my house this time. I will no longer support him and his waste. Shame on you Joe for fooling me all these years!!
ReplyDeleteI vote for the person and not the party -- good and bad on each side. Don't want anything to do with voting for anyone affilliated with the 4 year ago loosers!
ReplyDeleteI still support joe. And still will. Its not him. Its the govt
ReplyDeleteIt's not him its the govt? He is taking the money. The govt is giving it, but he's taking it. No one wants to send him to jail. They just want to have someone come in who wants to stop taking all the money.
ReplyDeleteYou will say, anyone will do the same thing. Well then at least we would be spreading around the tax dollars a bit. And you might be surprised. Those figures might change, and more poor people might get the money. They sure as hell are not getting it while Joe is getting it. Give someone else a try.
Give no one a try. Im leaving all twnshp choices empty
ReplyDelete11:30 PM
ReplyDeleteThen since we do have a choice for offices we have not had a choice before, it is a shame you will not vote, it must mean you do not care who makes decisions with your money.
If the newbies are elected. Which i thnk they wont be. Nothing will change. Just like the mayor Same old things.
ReplyDeleteBy not voting, just gives the incumbant a vote.
ReplyDelete4:25 am
ReplyDeleteWe won't know unless we try and change the elected, it is better to do something than nothing at all and continue down the same road when when we know it is the wrong road. Does not make sense. We must try.
no chance of me voting repub- and its gona be easy for me not to vote for art rigby- first hes a dem- now all of a sudden he is an indy give me a break
ReplyDeleteWhat do you have against Republicans 9:26
ReplyDelete9:26 we don't need to give you a break. We have been giving you money for years.
ReplyDeleteI am a dem. dont even get me started on republicans They r the reason the country is in shambles
ReplyDelete2:07 Now THAT is funny. Democrats are the ones who continue to make the gov't bigger and bigger, ballooning everything from national debt to high prices. keep up the good work! We get closer and closer to 20 trillion in debt every day that goes by.
ReplyDeleteLois we still need a Q&A session or blog post for each candidate. I think that would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteRepubs drained this country. Started 2 wars we didnt need and dragged us into a recession. Nuff said
ReplyDeleteyou're right. people using their homes as atm's is all the republicans fault. your share of the national debt is $146,000 thanks to your buddy obama. all the republicans fault.
ReplyDeleteDEMS GOT US INTO NAM REPUBS GOT US OUT!!! FORGET THE PARTIES KNOTHEADS AND VOTE FOR THE PERSON!!!!! THE POLITICAL BATTLE IS PUTTING THIS COUNTRY DEEPER IN THE HOLE EVERYDAY. WHAT A BUNCH OF FOOLS!
ReplyDelete8:49. Assuming they even are a taxpayer! Remember they are a democrat!
ReplyDeleteRight....
ReplyDeleteHere are two presidential quotes that every voter should read.
ReplyDeleteJohn Quincy Adams
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
John F Kennedy
“One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
I urge every Peru Township voter to check out the reformperutwp.com website. There is a biography on each Independent candidate. It provides facts how our current officials are running the township. There is a Q&A section that we encourage you to participate in.
Eddie Mitchell
Candidate for Trustee
@ Eddie Mitchell, thank you for coming on the Peru Town Forum. I definitely will go to your website, and hopefully make an informed vote in April.
ReplyDeleteArt rigby? Your kidding right?
ReplyDelete