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.
“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.” Samuel Adams
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Checks and Balances in Peru Finances
Let's start seeing ALL purchases from each department on line and require stringent controls on who buys what and where followed by oversight by all department heads and the city clerk.
44 comments:
Anonymous
said...
If this happened think about how much money would be in these accounts. All this information should be posted for all taxpayers to see. Liberty Fire Company/Perus Fire Department record keeping and expenditures for the previous couple of years would be interesting in reading. Since the Operation Promise donation was accidentally put in the wrong acct. Haven't heard anything more about this donation. Does anybody know anything? Is money being held hostage?
I just read the recent postings of the rec board minutes. They state that Ron had previously signed the fireworks contracts with Melrose. I wonder how that can be when it was stated for a fact that there were no contracts with Melrose. What is going on with this city?
I am not surprised at all by the minutes because it is very seldom that anyone, particularly the secretary of the Rec Bd. attends a city council meeting. There is a real disconnect with regards to the Recreation Bd and the City Council.
Apparently there is a major disconnect between members of the rec board themselves. How could they not know that there was never a contract with Melrose? A member of their committee has been hiring them for multiple years.
Being as I don't get the news tribune why would our electric department supervisor feel it necessary to write to the open forum and can he do that without official approval by the council or the mayor or the attorney?
Why would a City official write an open forum article and not issue an official press release? I'll tell you why, because in the open forum, he can get away with telling only half the truth.
During campaign time for election of 2009 "term limitation" was a huge topic by supporters of Mayor Harl. Very controversal because Mayor Baker held office for 44 consecutive years. No recall of it being brought up after the eletion by Mayor Harl. What actions have been taken by the current administration on this topic?
The news trib must've proof read the open forum because all you get out of potthoff at council meetings is a " duh" and an " I'll look into that" !! If he's even coherent enough to know he's being talked to!
I viewed the agenda set for this week. I see the city is going into closed session to discuss employee discipline? Could this be about an employee who wrongfully purchased items for the BB gun club and got fired? I guess Alderman Batman and Alderwoman Catwoman should be awarded for being the only officials to question that cost. Why is this situation so hush hush? Was that employee charged and fined?
I have received a very accusatory post that I will not publish unless that individual wishes to resend with his actual name and an email so I can verify the identity.
I just don't like when people lie especially when I am well of the facts and that is what you were attempting to do. The issues you brought forth were twisted and distorted for your own personal satisfaction and to try and get points for the person your support in my opinion and I do know the facts.
Just saw the mayor's political ad in tonight's paper. The ad itself was very nice but I have to say that him being moderator for the Illinois Municipal League Convention will not have any bearing on whether I vote for him. I want to know what his plans for Peru will be in the next four years. I am not impressed by these pics with what he considers influential people. Whoever is advising him on campaign strategies must remember we are the Illinois Valley not the suburbs of Chicago. The folks of Peru are honest and hard working and can see through this political nonsense.
7:21 I too saw the agenda for the council meeting and wondered the same thing. Why would there be another closed session to discuss the discipline, etc. of an employee when that was done with a special meeting Friday?
Has anyone requested, under the FOIA, the expenditures from Harl's DC trip? I can only suspect he went down there begging for money for some project that he believes will save his campaign.
I don't know but the Mayor might have a city credit card for the expenses so It might be awhile before they are billed for it or even if he used a personal card, he might be awhile. Alderman Lukosus also went with the mayor as usual.
Funny how there was always a camera around when he is talking to an "importatnt" official or at an "important" event. A regular Forrest Gump our Mayor is.... or perhaps he knows somebody that knows how to run photo shop. I would not bet on the City IT services contractor for that though. Maybe the PR firm hired by the man of many hats Mr. Vickrey.
1:04 And you never know what you're gonna git. Fantastic movie. You never know exactly what you have, until you got it, and then you don't want it! And then you wish you would have picked a different piece of chocolate.
The Mayor and Alderman are working for the city and were to travel to do city business. If they worked for a private corporation they wouldn't think of bringing their wives on a business trip. This is another good example of the night at a council meeting the statement made "we got everything pretty well cut to the bone" was nothing but BS.
HARL takes political trips to meet the "BIG SHOTS" to LEARN how to campaign. WAKE UP PEOPLE! You are getting played faster than a banjo. A new mayor is needed and Baker is too OLD! Baker was not able to pay full attention 4 years ago at council meetings, what would it be like now? Get someone new!
Are you serious 5:24?? Yes, she was at that meeting but only to defend her husbands new pickleball program which she and her committee initiated illegally. That committee didn't even know how one of their own got the bids for our fireworks for many years. They weren't even aware there was no contract. And do you think attending a meeting once a year is sufficient??
How quickly people forget but I can still see those pokes in the ribs by either Judy or Doug when they needed his attention. So why when most of us remember what was going on why do so many think Baker should be mayor once again. What are they not getting with Don out of office?
6:13 Now don't get your panties in a bunch, I was just stating a fact that she WAS at a meeting. You have to give her credit for making a meeting even if it was to promote her husbands sport.
what are we not getting? a mayor who actually cares about the people, the city and what goes on, this present one is clearly all for himself. what are we getting with him in the office? that is the question to be asking-closed business' run down buildings/homes/parks you name if the pride in peru is gone we need someone to bring it back 4 more weeks? lets make a difference vote for someone who cares about us
But remember. The council meeting is like a play - all the lines are already memorized and all the votes already taken. It is just for show. It took "Hurl" a few years to figure it out. Now he is making long term decisions that only benefit his club.
Blah blah blah, complain complain complain, if everyone is so disgruntled, why then does NO ONE speak up at the council meetings??? I sit there and listen and hear the words, ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS, you could hear a pin drop. For sure Lois you would have something to say?? Or maybe you are too busy changing the cassette in your recorder. With all the complaining it just sounds like you are part of the problem!!
I seldom bring a tape recorder and the only ones who would have noticed would have been an elected or appointed official due to its location. I did bring one several weeks ago for a specific purpose and why are you not asking why the video taping is not being put online? No one makes a public comment for reasons that have been put on this blog over and over again and if you are there and aren't aware, you should NOT be there ANON.
WE KNOW THAT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS PRETTY MUCH READ THESE BLOGS. THIS BLOG SITE SITS RIGHT UP THERE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT AT COUNCIL MEETINGS. MORE PEOPLE READ THESE BLOGS THEN ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS. A FORM OF COMMUNICATION TO AND FROM THE TAXPAYERS. PRICELESS---PRICELESS---PRICELESS! Mr. Mike Hart for MAYOR !!! The assinity of a few council members which in the manner they have disrespected several people who have commented at meetings have made this blog site even more desirable. Stupidity on their part!!!!! Honorable Baker if he were younger for mayor (thank you for your service). Vote: HART FOR MAYOR........ I said T-t!!!
7:00 Believe you me, if you were sitting in the audience you would not speak up either. It is very easy to sit up there in your nice high backed chairs and lean back and put your hands behind your head and stare up at the ceiling when someone is making a public comment. You should really try and listen to who is speaking and thank them when they are finished. But the problem is you forget who you are working for. Citizens have issues that they need help with in the city and are ignored. I am sure that anyone who dares to get up and make a public comment is the topic of conversation at the bar after the meeting.
10:31 And that's the open and honest government we were promised by the Mayor . He wanted citizen participation and comments until he took the throne and met officials from bigger communities. Now we citizens of Peru are nothing to him.
Harl was a front for the UNION and that is why he was put in that position. They thought that Peru had all kinds of money and couldn't wait to get their greedy hands on it. Boy did they get fooled!
Anon 12:12 Do you think that the union thought that Peru had all kinds of money? I think the union knew that Peru did not have all kinds of money. I also think that the union realized that Peru does not have a money problem but has a spending problem. Peru has a exceptional revenue for a town of 10,000 and this is why the union wanted major input into its spending. A comment was made today that Perus debt at the end of Mayor Bakers term was not $42 million but was actually $28 million and today after the current mayor it is $38 million. Being that a vast amount of increase in debt is associated with the construction industry the union must be credited with knowing how to help break Perus piggy bank. The key to keeping Porky full is to only elect one incumbent April 9, and that is Sherry.
Come on now. The upcoming debates will be interesting, however, not really going to matter. Most people already know who they're going to vote for from what has been going on in the last four years. Change needed, let's give Mr. Hart a chance to get the city back on track. HART FOR MAYOR. Some people may fall asleep listening to the debates, depending on who is flapping their jaws.
44 comments:
If this happened think about how much money would be in these accounts. All this information should be posted for all taxpayers to see. Liberty Fire Company/Perus Fire Department record keeping and expenditures for the previous couple of years would be interesting in reading. Since the Operation Promise donation was accidentally put in the wrong acct. Haven't heard anything more about this donation. Does anybody know anything? Is money being held hostage?
BTW did anyone else read the open forum letter in Friday' paper from our electric supervisor concerning the electric rates?
10:16 AM
If that was written by our electric dept supervisor, I wish he would express those comments publicly at council meetings.
I just read the recent postings of the rec board minutes. They state that Ron had previously signed the fireworks contracts with Melrose. I wonder how that can be when it was stated for a fact that there were no contracts with Melrose. What is going on with this city?
12:30 PM
I am not surprised at all by the minutes because it is very seldom that anyone, particularly the secretary of the Rec Bd. attends a city council meeting. There is a real disconnect with regards to the Recreation Bd and the City Council.
Apparently there is a major disconnect between members of the rec board themselves. How could they not know that there was never a contract with Melrose? A member of their committee has been hiring them for multiple years.
Being as I don't get the news tribune why would our electric department supervisor feel it necessary to write to the open forum and can he do that without official approval by the council or the mayor or the attorney?
in my opinion {Pothoffs opinion sounds like scripted talking points from where else but city hall
Why would a City official write an open forum article and not issue an official press release? I'll tell you why, because in the open forum, he can get away with telling only half the truth.
During campaign time for election of 2009 "term limitation" was a huge topic by supporters of Mayor Harl. Very controversal because Mayor Baker held office for 44 consecutive years. No recall of it being brought up after the eletion by Mayor Harl. What actions have been taken by the current administration on this topic?
The news trib must've proof read the open forum because all you get out of potthoff at council meetings is a " duh" and an " I'll look into that" !! If he's even coherent enough to know he's being talked to!
Mr. Harl is lucky Kristi's blog doesn't come back. She could motivate the voting public.
I viewed the agenda set for this week. I see the city is going into closed session to discuss employee discipline? Could this be about an employee who wrongfully purchased items for the BB gun club and got fired? I guess Alderman Batman and Alderwoman Catwoman should be awarded for being the only officials to question that cost. Why is this situation so hush hush? Was that employee charged and fined?
I have received a very accusatory post that I will not publish unless that individual wishes to resend with his actual name and an email so I can verify the identity.
7:55 PM
I just don't like when people lie especially when I am well of the facts and that is what you were attempting to do. The issues you brought forth were twisted and distorted for your own personal satisfaction and to try and get points for the person your support in my opinion and I do know the facts.
Just saw the mayor's political ad in tonight's paper. The ad itself was very nice but I have to say that him being moderator for the Illinois Municipal League Convention will not have any bearing on whether I vote for him. I want to know what his plans for Peru will be in the next four years. I am not impressed by these pics with what he considers influential people. Whoever is advising him on campaign strategies must remember we are the Illinois Valley not the suburbs of Chicago. The folks of Peru are honest and hard working and can see through this political nonsense.
7:21 I too saw the agenda for the council meeting and wondered the same thing. Why would there be another closed session to discuss the discipline, etc. of an employee when that was done with a special meeting Friday?
Has anyone requested, under the FOIA, the expenditures from Harl's DC trip? I can only suspect he went down there begging for money for some project that he believes will save his campaign.
I don't know but the Mayor might have a city credit card for the expenses so It might be awhile before they are billed for it or even if he used a personal card, he might be awhile. Alderman Lukosus also went with the mayor as usual.
Funny how there was always a camera around when he is talking to an "importatnt" official or at an "important" event. A regular Forrest Gump our Mayor is.... or perhaps he knows somebody that knows how to run photo shop. I would not bet on the City IT services contractor for that though. Maybe the PR firm hired by the man of many hats Mr. Vickrey.
Forrest Gump did not say he ate the box of chocolates he said life is like a box of chocolates.
1:04 And you never know what you're gonna git. Fantastic movie. You never know exactly what you have, until you got it, and then you don't want it! And then you wish you would have picked a different piece of chocolate.
The wives also went to DC.
Just like last year.
run Mayor Forest, run
Lois, the rec board secretary was at a council meeting last spring when the people from Hoffman Estates came down to discuss pickle ball.
The Mayor and Alderman are working for the city and were to travel to do city business. If they worked for a private corporation they wouldn't think of bringing their wives on a business trip. This is another good example of the night at a council meeting the statement made "we got everything pretty well cut to the bone" was nothing but BS.
HARL takes political trips to meet the "BIG SHOTS" to LEARN how to campaign. WAKE UP PEOPLE! You are getting played faster than a banjo. A new mayor is needed and Baker is too OLD! Baker was not able to pay full attention 4 years ago at council meetings, what would it be like now? Get someone new!
Are you serious 5:24?? Yes, she was at that meeting but only to defend her husbands new pickleball program which she and her committee initiated illegally. That committee didn't even know how one of their own got the bids for our fireworks for many years. They weren't even aware there was no contract. And do you think attending a meeting once a year is sufficient??
6:04 PM
How quickly people forget but I can still see those pokes in the ribs by either Judy or Doug when they needed his attention. So why when most of us remember what was going on why do so many think Baker should be mayor once again. What are they not getting with Don out of office?
6:13 Now don't get your panties in a bunch, I was just stating a fact that she WAS at a meeting. You have to give her credit for making a meeting even if it was to promote her husbands sport.
what are we not getting? a mayor who actually cares about the people, the city and what goes on, this present one is clearly all for himself. what are we getting with him in the office? that is the question to be asking-closed business' run down buildings/homes/parks you name if the pride in peru is gone we need someone to bring it back 4 more weeks? lets make a difference vote for someone who cares about us
But remember. The council meeting is like a play - all the lines are already memorized and all the votes already taken. It is just for show. It took "Hurl" a few years to figure it out. Now he is making long term decisions that only benefit his club.
Blah blah blah, complain complain complain, if everyone is so disgruntled, why then does NO ONE speak up at the council meetings??? I sit there and listen and hear the words, ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS, you could hear a pin drop. For sure Lois you would have something to say?? Or maybe you are too busy changing the cassette in your recorder. With all the complaining it just sounds like you are part of the problem!!
7:33 You're right. I apologize but you do have to admit this committee does not seem to know what they are doing.
7:00 AM
I seldom bring a tape recorder and the only ones who would have noticed would have been an elected or appointed official due to its location. I did bring one several weeks ago for a specific purpose and why are you not asking why the video taping is not being put online? No one makes a public comment for reasons that have been put on this blog over and over again and if you are there and aren't aware, you should NOT be there ANON.
WE KNOW THAT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS PRETTY MUCH READ THESE BLOGS. THIS BLOG SITE SITS RIGHT UP THERE WITH PUBLIC COMMENT AT COUNCIL MEETINGS. MORE PEOPLE READ THESE BLOGS THEN ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS. A FORM OF COMMUNICATION TO AND FROM THE TAXPAYERS. PRICELESS---PRICELESS---PRICELESS! Mr. Mike Hart for MAYOR !!! The assinity of a few council members which in the manner they have disrespected several people who have commented at meetings have made this blog site even more desirable. Stupidity on their part!!!!! Honorable Baker if he were younger for mayor (thank you for your service). Vote: HART FOR MAYOR........ I said T-t!!!
7:00 Believe you me, if you were sitting in the audience you would not speak up either. It is very easy to sit up there in your nice high backed chairs and lean back and put your hands behind your head and stare up at the ceiling when someone is making a public comment. You should really try and listen to who is speaking and thank them when they are finished. But the problem is you forget who you are working for. Citizens have issues that they need help with in the city and are ignored. I am sure that anyone who dares to get up and make a public comment is the topic of conversation at the bar after the meeting.
10:31 And that's the open and honest government we were promised by the Mayor . He wanted citizen participation and comments until he took the throne and met officials from bigger communities. Now we citizens of Peru are nothing to him.
Harl was a front for the UNION and that is why he was put in that position. They thought that Peru had all kinds of money and couldn't wait to get their greedy hands on it. Boy did they get fooled!
HART(x)
Anon 12:12 Do you think that the union thought that Peru had all kinds of money?
I think the union knew that Peru did not have all kinds of money. I also think that the union realized that Peru does not have a money problem but has a spending problem.
Peru has a exceptional revenue for a town of 10,000 and this is why the union wanted major input into its spending. A comment was made today that Perus debt at the end of Mayor Bakers term was not $42 million but was actually $28 million and today after the current mayor it is $38 million. Being that a vast amount of increase in debt is associated with the construction industry the union must be credited with knowing how to help break Perus piggy bank. The key to keeping Porky full is to only elect one incumbent April 9, and that is Sherry.
Sherry Mayszak(x)
Mayszak(x)
Hart (x)
Come on now. The upcoming debates will be interesting, however, not really going to matter. Most people already know who they're going to vote for from what has been going on in the last four years. Change needed, let's give Mr. Hart a chance to get the city back on track. HART FOR MAYOR. Some people may fall asleep listening to the debates, depending on who is flapping their jaws.
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