I listened to the Spring Valley mayors on WLPO news last evening and early in the debate, Mayor Cliff Banks said that the city stopped the practice of going to the IML meetings in Chicago and spending 12 to 15,000 and bringing nothing back to the city that would help them. Instead they have put that money into new sidewalks in the downtown plus he donated 1/2 of his salary.
Does Mr. Banks have the right idea? We in Peru have no clue what is discussed because no one is talking. They could at least tell us what they had to eat at the promotional dinners.
This audio is still available is you would like to listen.
56 comments:
Spring Valley still attends, with reimbursement of expenses.
Wonder if his disability payments are the cause of his salary reduction?
Go listen to the audio and if he does, he should be called on it. I just listened to it again to make sure I heard it right.
I don't think he goes. Others do.
But if lies get votes, he is more than capable.
Just wondering if it is common and accepted practice for elected officials in a municipality to take out advertisements in the local paper supporting each other. for instance have you see an advertisement by an alderman supporting the city treasurer or for any of the mayoral candidates. Strange to see an ad in tonights paper for Mayor Harl with an endorsement by Treasurer Gary Hylla. I will be looking closely. So here we come again to the same point that has been brought up repeatedly. It may be legal but is it good policy. Seems like appointed officials in this administration like pushing the buttons. Are they trying to make sure their buddies say in office? None of this sends a positive message to anyone watching this city.
I don't care who endorses who. In local elections I usually get to talk to those running, and I vote based on a few questions I ask of them. I often know them before the run too, which helps make the choice.
I wouldn't count on anything Banks says while in campaign mode, especially to continue a discussion about Peru politics. Just too many inaccuracies.
Walt Marini gets my vote.
Sorry about highjacking your post! I usually just read, but a Spring Valley post got me to post.
7:18 PM
Thank you, not being familiar with Spring Valley politics, I thought it might have been an honest statement but I should know that is hard to come by in an election year.
Was browing through our disbursements today and ran across what I believe to be the line item alderman Perez questioned at a meeting. It was a purchase of $1604.45 from Lee Valley Tools (which by the way is located in Canada) for the BB gun club. What I can't located is this invoice listed on Mr. Hylla's summary of the BB gun club minus labor costs. Could someone please explain where this purchase went?
Funny, but sad.
We that are honest expect others are as well. He isn't in our league, unfortunately.
Lois, since it seems we have spring valley voters on here. Perhaps they will FOIA the expenses from their clerk so we can compare.
In regards to Peru Treasurer Hylla endorsing Mayor Harl only shows panic with their administration. Hylla has to be sure Harl is re-elected to secure his position(s)
Hylla comes across as the mayor being fiscal conservative when he's the furthest from it.
walt marini without a doubt is the best canidate
I agree about Walt Marini in Spring Valley. Great man and he would be a phenomenal leader.
It will be intereting to see how many long standing friends of Harls will be lined up to greet the new mayor on his first day in office. Everyone but Harl must know that there has been a group of life long supporters of Whoever is Mayor at the time. They are always there ,don't go away and would support Elmer Fudd if he was elected. Watch them they are good. Being spineless they can slither in all directions and change speeds on the spot. Similar to The Ambassador of Deer Spotting they are also self appointed. Unsimilar to The Ambassador of Deer Spotting they need money to be interested, alot of money and it must somehow be placed in hand.
7:40. Regarding that invoice, maybe we can ask Lois to FOIA it and put it on the blog?? How about it Lois??
Isn't it funny how out of town employees from the group that did the sewer repairs south of 4th st. were in town yesterday campaigning for Mr. Harl?
7:40 That is very interesting. Was is conveniently left off the report? The issue here appears there is no accountability by the SPW, city clerk, and treasurer. There needs to be a check and balance system implemented so this nonsense stops.
I just hope that the horticulturist was not made an example of, especially this occurring right before the election.
How do you like our Treasurer not only campaigning in the Newspaper but also on the radio for Mayor Harl. Can't the mayor read his own endorsements?
I find it questionable that the invoice was even acceptable. $1600 is alot of money for a employee of a organiztion to be given responsibility of. How many employees are given the green light to make similar purchases and what have been the check and balance system. Was this exposed because of Alderman Perez 's questioning of Treaurer Hylla at the council meeting the evening Hylla would not accept Perezs' disbursements? Another great example of documentation of Perus Harl-Hylla updated accounting which was the topic of a political ad in Thursdays News Trib.
No matter where this administration goes it is possible to find problems within.
anon 10:26 your premature on your thoughts. And who is this Assbassador of Deer spoting? I don't understand the title or the intended humor of the posts. Please humor me with those comparisions.
Oh come on 8:09 surely you aren't being serious unless they're union buddies? Why would they care who is mayor? Are they afraid they might not get the work they were promised?
10:30 AM
I have one word for it
PATHETIC
First of all the individual made a example of himself. No matter when the occurance the employee had to know better and the city -union employee agreement should be understood as a immediate dismissal not a opportunity to quit and enforced as such.
If this is not investigated further in all directions the city administration is failing. This employee should lose his benefits including vested rights immediately. If dishonesty scares a group that group had best be investigated because there has to be reason for the fear. The investigation starts at the top and works its way down to the bottom. maybe this former employee is willing to inform the city of needed valuable evidence.
Somewhere there was a start and it is up to us to find and prove what transpired between the start and what is hoped to be the end.
There have been recent rumors that a individual of high city office has been making phone calls to residents of the 4th ward campaigning for his appointed alderman. If true it is not surprising since he is known to ride horses side saddle for a quicker change in the middle of the stream. Long term political allies, friends etc. haven't meant much in Peru politics of the last four years. Keemosabe
The Ambassador of Deer Spotting is a long term friend of the blog who similar to the Mayor has never truly identified himself.
The Ambassador as the Mayor have used their titles to conceal their true identity.
I will stop now as I fear the wrath of the Ambassador will come down upon me if I continue.
You'll never know what happened to the horticulturalist because he was told resign and keep quiet or be prosecuted. Harl didn't want this public because it happened on his watch. The city won't say what happened and won't charge him so it just another dirty little of Perus. And the states attorney won't do anything unless peru PD charges him. Harl would look really bad when this comes out that's why they had a secret meeting and he told everyone keep quiet. T.W. gets off "scott" free and us taxpayers get stiffed again thanks to this administration.
Who cares if the horticulturist is made a example of . If he is guilty he should be made a long term example of as anyone else guilty of stealing from the city should be.
People in the United States go to prison for less and People in countries such as Turkey don't have hands left to steal again. Why the coverup if the accusations are true what is the bail?
I consider Harl, Hylla and Bleck as stealing from the taxpayers too. They had their lunch and Harl had an extra night in an expensive hotel after the IML conference was over paid for by the taxpayers. If they want to stay longer in Chicago, fine, but pay your own way!
If there is a coverup then I blame Harl for the coverup. I am sure that he was made aware of the problem. Very poor management.
Lois...you should never have let the bad comment of someone being pushed around in a wheel chair. He/She made fun of disabilities...Baker may not be able to WALK the city, but he sure could run it...Also why isn't anyone on Jennifer Nagle for all the boo boo's she made....And Jen never even gave Harl the first question...which would be the proper thing to do cause he is the current Mayor...Also something stinks about why you (Jen) changed the rotation of questions???????
11:40. Self-appointed themselves as ambassador of deerspotting. This position is very important and ADS has some very good blogs. Maybe the ADS can inform us as to when the position became into existence. I think it was was the PICKELBALL fiasco began. The ADS has a very humorous personality. Maybe someday we will find out the true idenity of ADS. Alot of stick slapping going on.
High diddle diddle it is time for a ADS riddle. The ADS presently has three fields he calls home, although two are far to the East. But yet he has to travel in all directions to be away sometimes further than other times.
He takes great joy when the loudest stick slapping is done by those of the same sir name but has never seen them slap sticks together but many times apart. The ADS knows that downstream as sir names go that the best record he can achieve is 2-2 and he also knows that the worst is 2-2. Although found of doing things in 2's you'll never see him in a double beaked cap.
Anon 7:40 The reason that never surfaced was because a city employee was fired for stealing that 1,600.00 how's that for checks and balances? If alderman perez never brought that up the employee would have walked free. I've been trying to find out if the city filed charges against that employee? Did that employee pay that back to the city? Should that 1,600,00 show up somewhere on a report if it was paid back?
This election is such a mess with so many people running, I gave up on Don Baker which is who I was going to vote for up until the radio interview. I will write Alderman Rodney Perez in and others should do the same . We need real leadership in Peru.
Many people fail to see the humor in my posts 10:44. Do not be troubled by that. In fact I have heard tell that when a few of my posts were placed in places in city hall, they were frowned upon. They even inspired foul language.
I mean more than the usual 150 F bombs.
Many times my posts are not funny at all. The truth in them is actually very sad. As I have said before, I am very close to much of the action, and so must remain alone slapping my sticks in the field.
That did not come out right...
A of DS
7:00. Do not waste your vote with a write in for Rodney. Yes, Rodney would make a great mayor, but he doesn't want that right now. I agree that the employee would have gotten away with it if not for Rodney bringing it out in the open. Harl should have fired that guy many years ago. Please vote for Mike Hart. Give him a chance to show us how he can change things for the good. We were promised change 4 years ago, and we got change, but it wasn't for the good.
Question One: IF THE NEWS TRIB IS NOT GOING TO DO ANY INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING ON THIS LOCAL $1600 CRIME HOW CAN THEY ETHICALLY REPORT ANY OTHER CRIME WITHOUT IT BEING DISCRIMINATION?
Question Two: IS IT TIME TO DROP THE NEWS TRIB AND SUBCRIBE TO THE OTTAWA TIMES WHICH CARRIES WAY MORE LOCAL NEWS?
A of DS In reply to your comment of 7:19, in which you remain alone. Believe me you have alot of company in the big building downtown Peru. Long term professional stick slappers.
that came out right
Here's another example of how this administration thinks and works. A while back there was an opening on the rec board. The mayor repeatedly announced this opening but no one was responding. Finally someone (who is probably not one of the mayor's favorites) decided to apply since no one else was. After SHE applied a gentlemen also applied but in the mean time another opening on this committee became available. With time nearly out for applications to be turned in a third party application miraculously appeared. This party has been known to do quite a bit of work for the city of Peru. Needless to say the lst person to apply for the vacancy (SHE) is the only one who did not get a position. Another example of who you are in this town that counts and who the mayor thinks can help him. While I'm pretty sure the first applicant would refuse the offer (and I don't blame her) there is another opening on this committee. I feel the ethical thing to do is to at least offer it to her but I don't think that's going to happen because the mayor has already asked for applications.
Just came from Peoria street south of Shooting Park Road. There are 2 homes along the way that definitely have more than 6 political signs in their yards (one of them being D. Biederstedts). I am pretty sure that after much deliberation by this administration, and many meetings, it was determined that 6 was the limit. Now, while I don't have a problem with this, what I do care about is the fact that my tax dollar was at work establishing this ordinance and now the very people whose salary I pay is not enforcing it.
Perhaps we could rename this and call it "the paper tiger ordinance"
meaning something that seems as threatening as a tiger, but does not withstand challenge. (from Wikipedia)
In this case it seems that some of the sign designers down at city hall did not calculate what happens in an election season. Also did not anticipate the lack of enforcement because of who it might affect or else an ineffective enforcer.
Harl and Baker were the first to go against the sign ordinance. If the top dog doesn't follow the rules, why should anybody else? Hart for Peru Mayor!
I had to laugh at Harl's ad in the NT last night. "Continue and expand recreational activities in our parks". Lookout I think that means more Pickleball courts. "Continue with clean up and beautification of our water front". Besides the power house, what is one thing Harl has done to make Water Street beautiful? Look at the road itself. That would keep most people off Water Street no matter how beautiful it was down there.
Be aware residents that live near parks in Peru, if the mayor does mean what 1:36 says you are in for a summer from hell. The mayor refused to even acknowledge the problem that exists at 28th st park. He is ruthless when it comes to influential people wanting what they want. The possibility of law suits do not scare him, even though he knows that there are problems with this so called sport across the country. The ONLY person you will get help from is Alderman Mayszak, so be sure if you live in the second ward cast your vote for her. You do have parks in your ward so be aware of what the rec board is planning. they to are heartless and do not care about the residents that live near parks. their answer has been and continues to be you live next to the park, deal with it.
They enforced it well last night or this morning. One of my signs as well as one of Bakers was taken down at the corner of 4th and Henry St. IMO the sign ordinance is a joke. You don't need me or anyone else telling you how you can or can not exercise your 1st amendment right
Mayszak (X)
Mayszak(X)
Justin, isn't that where Alderman Perez' father lived? Could it be the only reason they're enforcing the sign ordinance is in retaliation against Rodney? Have you seen Doug Biederstedt's yard? What a joke this administration is!
And people claim there is no retaliation.
(X) MIKE HART
And it can't get here soon enough!
7:47. Yes you are correct that is where his father lived.
8 signs at biederstedt place and one is Bartley who is runnin unopposed where is Taylor hiding in a hole? He should be released from city for failure to comply to his job! But because he goes and sit at biederstedt place with Harl, hocking, Ozzy and vickrey he doesn't have to work...all failures in my opinion maybe every candidate should go up a sign there
Who are the biggest violators of this ordinance - the people who are employed by the tax payers themselves. And Frank Taylor, whose job it is to enforce this ordinance, doesn't have the b----- to do so (and we pay him too).
852. Take a chill pill
852. Bartley and hocking. The only failures imo.
Frank (the tool) Taylor
Coming home from church this morning I saw that Mr. Giordano had put one of his signs along side of the Undercellar which belongs to St Mary's Church of which I am a member. I will be checking tomorrow to see if he was given permission. I also have seen many of his signs where I think no permission was asked. There was one on the Vickery property on Wenzel road until someone started putting up small signs that they he was not their choice and he did take his big sign down. Is this the way he conducts his campaigns? If he are reading this Jim, make your case, that you got approval.
I live in the THIRD ward sooon to be the FOURTH ward on new maps and anyone running in peru thatwants to put a sign on my property can but will be out of city verances . that whay i'll have taylor aressted for tresspassing . i not going to take any you know what from this councile or mayor . I OWN IT . LEAVE IT ALONE OR ELSE !
i don't have a problem with people going to these confrences but the city should set a set amount of say $300 and thats it. if you want to take your family tree to these or eat lobster you got the money your gonna get and thats it the rest is yours, nobody pays for my vacation but me
yeah harl is the mayor and made his share of mistakes but you also have to remember the council also runs this city and alot of issues were passed on to harl from baker and his boys. when the city was going to pay full amount on the sewer project that was owed it was mike hart informing the council that the city didn't owe the full amount, and when harl borrowed the money for the street improvement which in a few years will have to be redone again, it was hart that told them to do it alittle every year as to not have to borrow money and replace them all at the same time again saving us the tax payers another morgage but they did not listen. mike hart will treat the citys money like he would his own and not waste. we need a new venue and not go backwards so we all need to jump on harts band wagon and support a man that can do this city some good
Mike Hart (X)
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