Is the BB gun club only a symptom of what is wrong with the city?
Why are there so many special interest groups that seem to be getting what they want at taxpayer expense?
Is the hydro a bigger expense than a benefit at this point?
Would our park system benefit from professional services? How do you break the cycle of "summer help" that year after does not seem to be working, should the city be in the business of giving jobs to political allies and business friends?
What do we do with out neglected parks?
Do we need continuing education for our elected officials?
Would you like to see each payment made by the city put online with a scan of the check?
Video taping of meetings has become a big disappointment, what now?
Is it possible to find people who would volunteer to help with projects to beautify the city and would the city assist in that effort? Do we need to continue to maintain the cemetery green house and to employ a part time horticulturist and what should his budget be?
Some of my pre election thoughts.Sometimes I have questions but not sure many people think one or none of them are important, what do you think?
44 comments:
I, personally would like to see a better and more efficient account of how our tax money is being spent. As has been stated previously, approving the disbursements at a meeting is merely a formality because the bills have already been paid. And, when a question does arise with a specific line item many times no one is sure of the answer.
I have a good friend that wants to know about the 4 and 6 separation and why did we have so many problems with this infrastructure project. Was it all Lambrechts poor work that was the problem or was the engineering work provided by Chamlin Engineering also an issue?
My opinion of the BB gun Club? I think it's a great idea at a minimal expense. It gets these kids involved in something they enjoy and they are interacting with law enforcement in a positive setting. There were complaints about the horse shoe pits because no one was doing anything for the kids, and when they do, people complain. Really, what is the problem people have with this. It may not be your cup of tea but a splash pad isn't mine.
If you honestly think the hydro electric plant isn't worth the money, compare your city bill with other cities. We are provided water, sewer, garbage, and electric cheaper than most communities pay Ameren for electric alone.
Lois, you accused the city of purposely not posting meetings to the web site...So since you saw Bartley have these problems with your own eyes, that was a false assumption?
Nice article in today's Newstrib about woman firefighters. You should be able to post it lois because the Newstrib never wrote it. They just used it from another paper.
Too bad LaSalle and Peru don't let females on their department. Maybe it would be more fair if the HR department did the interviews and hiring. And not the fireman
1:19 PM
I asked questions and your ideas and all you did is ask my opinion. I wants yours not mine. I did not accuse the city and I understand what city clerk Bartley told me but I want to know why it is happening. Are you the spokeman for Mayor Harl?
All of your questions are good. Anytime you think you are not getting the biggest bang for your buck it becomes your fault if you do not confront the situation.
Anyone who believes Perus' electric rates are so low please call Unytite and inform them and the eight other industrial sites which are studying what they believe are Perus' high electric rates which they can obtain at a lower rate in other locations.
I don't remember anyone specifically saying that the BB Club was not a good idea. I do remember that the promise was made that it would not cost the taxpayers money and it would be financed by donations.
The reluctance to disclose financial books, to give a explanation to the $11,000 of disbursements that Alderman Perez had when there was only $3,000 in donations, the $5,000 donated out of the drug fund being that this money is not to be touched unless it is drug wellness related, the omission of of a line expense of 6 city employees for 3 entire weeks - hourly pay and fringe benefit cost to the city, the attitude of one council member to another council member with a answer of there has been very little snow so it gave the city employees something to do, and the approach of a organizer asking a council member why did she bring the labor expense issue up. When it has to do with the city it is her job as it is the other aldermens job to bring these issues up. Good for her and Thank you Alderman Mayszak.
Mayszak (X)
Radtke ( )
there is a big difference between the commercial & industrial electric rates and the residential electric rates. This is mainly due to the fact that the commercial and industrial entities can't vote - except by closing up shop, which it appears that some are now being forced into due to the excessive rate increases.
mayzak(x) radtke()
Yes Mayszak
Absolutely Mayszak
Maybe someone could look into this and find out when the disconnect began. Years ago the summer helpers (kids) who cut the grass and worked on the ball diamonds took an hour each day to teach "tee ball". Now, for some reason the rec commission hires extras at a cost of I believe $55 each to conduct this program. I'm quite sure that out of the 40 some summer hiries we have that a handful of them would be available for "tee ball". Why should we spend the extra money when many times there's not much for these kids to do. Would someone please give an honest explanation?
Is it legal to hold two offices at the same time. Can you hold a position in a township and a city?
To:4:22
From: Rodney Perez
Yes it's legal as long as they aren't both Voting positions.
I made contact with the A.G. this past fall when I was considering running for TWP Trustee.
Being they are both positions that require voting on issues I was unable to pursue.
I could've ran for any other seat within the Twp. Just not as a Trustee.
Linda said:
Would someone please give an honest explanation?
Are you kidding us? Any answer has and will be honest but you will never accept any answer that does not agree with your distorted memory of what happened in years past!
Facts are facts and you refuse to accept any facts about who the recreation Board hires.
Spend some of your unlimited free time to investigate who hires employees for Peru parks.
How can anyone, not only Linda, accept any decisions that the Peru Recreation Board has made. When a employeer hires more people with its biggest division closed down than it did when this division was open and it maintains the same pay of its director there should have been some name changes on this board. The pool was closed two summers ago and the summer help escalated to 38 and than last summer to 41 (of course this was the last group hiring before elections). The Summer Rec. Directors pay was not reduced until the second year the pool was shut down and was only reduced because it was directly questioned.
Give it up, board of rec, most of you have been there way to long and Lindas questions are questions which you can't and don't want to answer honestly.
Once again you people twist and turn and make things ugly when someone is trying to get an answer to a legitimate question. My question was in no way, shape, or form a criticism or cut down to the rec board. I simply wonder when the disconnect between the summer help hired by the city and the tee ball program began as, I do know for a fact that the hired summer workers always conducted the tee ball program. And, 9:11, what is your answer and why such a sarcastic, negative response to an honest question? And, if your answer is honest I will gladly accept it but I may not agree with it.
Alderman Perez: Did Operation Promise get the donation of money from the fire department? You mentioned that you and fire chief King were trying to resolve this, but nothing more has been stated on here, from what I've read. That was very strange deal about that donation and what acct it was in. Thank You.
In response to 9:11: I think you have misunderstood what point I was trying to make. First of all the rec board only hires summer workers to conduct their programs (i.e. camps). The city hires all the summer help that cuts the grass and maintains the parks. I just don't understand why those hired by the city cannot (as they did in the past) run the tee ball program under the direction of the rec board. In other words, why can't they work together?
I thought the Peru baseball league has tee ball. Why does the city have tee ball also? Way too many summer workers hire to cut grass and try and maintain the parks! Big waste of money. Too many city workers kids hired also. It's who you know. The city would save money by getting bids for mowing of the parks compared to what they pay all the summer help. This is a no brainer!
Since there isn't a pool, get rid of the rec board! The y has programs. When and if Peru gets a pool then hire a pool manager!
As being a peru taxpayer and lawn care business owner I agree . We can do it cheaper and faster than a city employee. This would save tons of money and be more efficient!!
11:50 am and 3:10pm and Linda 10:18am
First to Linda: I am 17 years old and you want me to mow the grass and then teach tee ball and then maybe Tennis and then crafts and then groom the baseball field and then and then and then.......................
I can NOT imagine how your comments would be toward me as I try and "satisfy" your expectations.
To 11:50am Your comments:
I thought this.....
Why does the City......
Sounds like a misinformed lazy person complaining and asking everyone else questions but no self motivation to search for an answer.
To 3:10pm
I am speechless!
How profound!
One program disappears and we abolish a volunteer board that hires several people to run several summer programs.
You are a true problem solver!
Typical responses from LAZY misinformed bloggers.
8:02 PM
You are 17 and have put all of this together,,,,Amazing. Perhaps the city should hire you to organize the summer program because if it were up to me our parks would be taken care of by professionals when and how it was needed. i would hire no friends or families of officials but perhaps a few laid off adults if some touch ups were needed in between the professional groomings. I would also reorganize the present Recreation Board and make sure they actually did something about problems they find instead of just making a list and checking it twice and then putting in the will do later file and that time never arrives.
Anon 8:30 There you go hire laid off adults who need the money for food on the table. I didn't know that the Peru Rec. Bd. makes a list and checks it twice makes sense as they are the Santa Claus of summer employment.
Just read the blog from the 17 year old. So, last year this 17 year old was 16 while working in the summer for the city. Wonder who this 17 year old is related to. I have two grown children, who are college graduates and working full time, in the suburbs of Chicago. NOT IN THE ILLINOIS VALLEY! what does this tell you. I'm blown away at this 17 year olds blogs. I credit whoever helped him/her write that blog. Hard to believe a 17 year old could care less about this blog site. They had to be encouraged by someone. To the 17 year old, when a person is hired for a job/jobs , you do your job without complaining. You don't pick and choose what you want to do on the job. Your supervisor should be directing you!
Dear 17 year old: Nobody is telling "you" to do anything. I'm just telling it like it used to be and yes, those 17 year olds did cut the grass and teach tee ball. They did it all because that was their job. I guess you don't understand that we could save the tax payers some money by having a handful of the 40 summer workers give an hour of their time each day to the youth of tomorrow. Sorry you were so offended by my suggesting we do what was done in the past but I really don't think you're overworked.
That was a wanna be 17 year old. 17 year olds wouldn't be on here unless directed and coached. Secondly- 17 year olds don't write using any form of writing and English skills unless they're writing a term paper.
The only thing anon 17 verified was mentality of teens that rule the roost and don't want to work.
Under good management, the manager would interview each 17 year old and ask them if they follow rules and job descriptions. A good manager would make the list of mowing, t ball, painting, cleaning restrooms etc. if the 17 year old refuses that job assignment? Then see ya!!! NEXT!!!
Dear 17 year old, if you need money get it from your parent who obviously is a city employee. I'm not a city employee so my 16 yr old will never have a chance at a city summer job!
These jobs if they are advertised in the paper are only in to satisfy the few dolts in city hall. The summer jobs are already decided on by the parent that works for the city. That is so unfair! This town is so corrupt! Maybe Liberty hires the summer help too!
This program on summer help gets a F- year after year. The best idea that has been presented is to hire laid off adults. Does anyone else have a suggestion for a workable program?
Yes 3:40 how about making the leaders, who are paid good money to supervise the summer help, do their jobs. We lack leadership!
Anon4:16 Good point.
How about last summer when a city employee sons get arrested for alcohol related incident and is allowed to continue work for summer program and operate city equipment for rest if summer...who you know in Peru
@6:14. Wonder which department that kids parent is a
City employee of? Never heard about this.
10:20 AM
Leave it at that because no names will be published on this blog and not sure the person will return as summer help this year.
I had to laugh at 8:02 pm's blog. As a parent I'm glad I taught my now grown kids to not complain and just do their job. Whoever the parents are shame on you. If it were my kid I'd say. You are 17, don't be lazy and complain, be lucky you have a job!!!
What about the electric dept employee that got a dui last year and kept working and driving? Peru sucks!
4:47 you may say Peru sucks, but what about the people who know who those dui workers are and don't come forward and press the issue? We're all responsible for trying to make our city better. We have heard of the insinuations four years ago and have to be careful of what we accuse people of. But if there is wrongdoing it must be brought to light and something done about it.
@5:59
The employee is required to report it to the cities HR department! Its not a citizens job to scan the paper for city employees breaking the law! Get real! What exactly does our HR department do anyway? Seems like nothing! I'm sure the superintendent knew of this too. How can an employee not drive for at least a month without the boss not knowing? Smells like coverup or a really stupid electrical superintendent!
Anon 8:21 All of the Above.
It is my understanding that a DUI conviction removes the CDL licensing right from the driver. If the employee does not have a CDL, how can they continue to drive city owned vehicles that require CDL's? Now that's a question for the insurance man and the law.
I think there is a couple of classifications for CDL licenses depending on which type of vehicle is driven. Doesn't a person have to be 18 years old to get any type of a CDL license?? Personally I think there should be a age limit of 21 to drive city vehicles. Read up on the statics on drivers between the ages of 16-21 who have has car accident. Pretty incredibly high, including fender benders. A majority of that age group are not responsible young adults,(had five kids in that age group),especially when friends are in vehicles with them. Just my opinion.
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