“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

Monday, March 11, 2013

What Do You Want to Know about a Candidate This Year?

I have talked to several of the candidates running for office this year including Mike Hart, Justin Loger and Sherry Mayszak and they are agreeable to answering your questions here on the blog.

Something in particular on your mind, ask and we will get the answer for you involving at least those 3 individuals. Others can be asked but not sure they are interested in giving you an answer.

I want to know if any of them would like to see the city with a new city attorney? It is my understanding that the atty does not need to be from Peru, so what do they think about hiring outside of our city? Mayor Harl promised us a new atty but did not follow through. Mayor Baker had the same atty for many years prior to that.


What kind of questions would you like to see asked during the Mayoral Debate?

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ask Harl why he never fufilled any of his campaign promises.

Anonymous said...

All of Peru has a major problem if the financial figures given out this morning in the news are correct.
In 2009 the city sold each credit for $17.00/credit and now each credit is only worth $.40/credit and the value continues to decrease as wind farms come on line. When is the point reached that the hydo plant is shut down because manpower and expenses are greater than profit or has it aleady reached that point? Hopefully the Mayor and alderman did not have to go to Washington for the answer. What dose the Budget Director have to say about this question?
What are the expenses and problems in shutting the hydro plant down and starting it up again?

Anonymous said...

Looks like Bakes may have dug the city a hole with hydroelectric power. As he states the city doesn't need the extra revenue! Maybe he's still looking at Judy's books!!! LOL

Anonymous said...

We must have a new candidate that will make some more promises? Has Mr.Hart made promises like he will hire a new attorney, new super, new water testing, new city engineer, new police chief, new fire chief, new foreman? I think your hearing something that he won't do or even say he will do.

Anonymous said...

Lois can we please keep this to question and answer for the candidates?

H. Tom said...

H. Tom
would like to know what Mr. hart has to say about hiring retired state pensioned worker to cute grass at ball parks and such when the city use to hire high school and ivcc kids to do it ?

Peru Town Forum said...

11:02 AM

I have not asked Mike Hart those questions but I am sure he is thinking about department heads as most logical people would be. With his excellent background and knowledge in the engineering field, it makes good sense. Also most people in town would agree that we need "new" in many departments in order to progress forward instead of being stagnant.. What you should really be asking is "what would former mayor Don Baker do"? Would he keep Taylor, Schweikert, Chamlin? Those people have been a part of his past administrations and would undoubtedly be also in the future. This town is drowning because we don't bring in the best and brightest that we can afford.

Anonymous said...

If Mr. Radke's statement is true about city workers not having anything to do then I would hope a new mayor would hire new department heads. One's who will use our money wisely and not let it be wasted by allowing workers to ride around town all day.

Anonymous said...

Lois, very good you flipped the question. It was for Mr.Hart and what would he do? You indicated that he would change the direction of the city? How? He's not a engineer, but what would he do different than Harl? Wasn't he on some committees in the city? Wasn't he on the committee to elect Mr. Harl?

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:26 The recreation board is in charge of hiring summer help which is a step backwards when Peru has a full time Human Resource Manager. I respect you for speaking up far enough ahead of summer hirings that your opinion has plenty of time to be fairly evaluated. Knowing the problems summer help has created and also the ill feeling of retirees getting long term summer jobs how do you like this idea. First summer employees hired would be unemployed citizens of Peru and until all of this group were hired no other group will be considered for employment. All jobs should be published in the paper, be listed on utlity bills sent from the city and announced on the radio and presented on Channel 13.
Other means of informing people would be to contact all Peru churches, State of Illinois Employment Service and private hiring agencies.
I know that many will have valid reason why they think this would not work, and the main reason will be wages. Two years ago there was 38 hird for summer employment and last year a total of 41. I would hire adults at a slightly higher pay and cut the summer starting figure of hirees in half.

Peru Town Forum said...

1:35 PM

Mike Hart was NOT on any committee to elect Mayor Harl and I doubt that he even knew him.
I said he worked in the engineering field but did not say he is an engineer but he did work with them.
He served on the infrastructure committee and has much interest and a great deal of knowledge in that field.

Anonymous said...

If Mr. Hart were on a committee 4 years ago to elect Harl what would be the difference? We all make mistakes and I know that I did by backing Harl. Boy oh boy what a mistake! So if Mr. Hart sees the light more power to him and I wish him luck. Need to see more big signs!!!

Peru Town Forum said...

I do know that Mike Hart is planning on walking through the entire city of Peru before the election. He may have already been in your neighborhood or even knocked on your door. At the very least you may find an informative card attached to your doorknob. He has the assistance of his wife and some friends with this walking tour of the city. So if we don't hear from him on the blog, that is probably the reason. I can't ever remember a mayoral candidate walking the city, does anyone?

Anonymous said...


Anon 11:26 The recreation board is NOT in charge of hiring summer help to cut grass and maintain the parks.
Get your facts straight before criticizing the wrong Board!
Don't be like the majority of bloggers who make false accusations.

Peru Town Forum said...

7:37 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Recreation Board through the Pool Director hired the pool help.

Anonymous said...

7:37 What are the false accusations that were made against the rec board?

Disgruntled Blog Reader said...

I thought this specific post was supposed to be Q&A for candidates in the upcoming election. It's getting clearer everyday why fewer prospective candidates are coming on here to answer questions since everything is either an accusation with limited evidence or complete speculation.

Anonymous said...

LOIS, HARL WALKED THE CITY IN 2009.SO HART ISN'T THE ONLY ONE THAT IS DOING IT. HE HASN'T COME TO MY HOUSE YET. ALSO I THINK THE BLOG SHOULD STAY NEUTRAL. I THINK YOU ARE BEING UNFAIR TO ALL THE CANIDATES.

Peru Town Forum said...

3:59 PM

Most of the walking in Harl's campaign was done by volunteers and I know many of them. I'm sure he did some door to door but not the entire city. He was not ever seen in my neighborhood.

Peru Town Forum said...

4:51 PM
Mike Radtke walked the entire ward when he ran for election by himself.

Anonymous said...

I would like to know why the city doesn't have a festival from wed-sun. Anymore? Would a candidate look into this as being a possibility to bring back to our community? Veterans park is a possibility and all proceeds go to the pool account. Beer tent could be volunteers $$$$ to be made! 50/50 tickets $$$$ to be made. Auction for donates prizes. Our kids and family need something like this. Remember as a kid the anticipation of a festival coming?

Anonymous said...

3:59PM NO ONE IS BEING UNFAIR, The truth is the truth! Harl had ALL of the 150 MEMBERS afix political material to everyones door before election. THE BLOG GOT HARL ELECTED AND AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED IT CAN TAKE AND ELECT SOMEONE ELSE.

Peru Town Forum said...

2:46 PM

I do believe all the candidates are very busy with their campaigns. I also know that candidate Sherry Mayszak has answered many questions as has Justin Loger. Also Mike Hart a few times. I think the rest of them are afraid of you out there.
This platform was offered to Mayor Harl early in his tenure with offers of letting him communicate with you the voters one on one. He did not accept. I have introduced myself to the others that are new and they are welcome to communicate with me through the blog. I'm waiting.

Anonymous said...

7:12 Lois said:
I have introduced myself to the others that are new and they are welcome to communicate with me through the blog. I'm waiting.

Well Lois you will be waiting a long time for candidates that have a desire to win the election to post anything on this blog.

You will soon realize that this election will prove that the people you endorse will lose this election.

That is my prediction and we will soon see if it is correct.
Signed,
Predictor of Peru election

Peru Town Forum said...

8:57 PM
I am watching and see some very good news approaching in April and it will be great news for the city.
As for the mayors race, I think you should wait until the debate before you start counting your winnings. Last election people did and they lost.

The elected officials that answer questions on this blog are some of the most respected in the city of Peru.

With your attitude I don't know why you are reading the comments.

Anonymous said...

for amusement probably!

Anonymous said...

Who's responsible for Pulaski north of shooting park rd and when can it be fixed?

Kmart, jewel and the mall how can we get more jobs to Peru?

Anonymous said...

6:28- I really don't think that all of the people who worked to get Harl elected were local 150 members. I'm also sure that alot of his friends have the same profession as he does-isn't that true of many of us? I've been reading this blog for a time now and it sure seems that Harl gets alot of blame (or credit) for everything from illegal gambling to a lack of volunteers to being able to control the local newspaper. You make him out to be such a powerful man! And yes, many of us read this blog for entertainment.

Anonymous said...

7;37 Township is. and you should direct your question to a candidate that actually cares about bring business to peru, I know of one for sure.