“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

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

According to the City of Peru An Impromptu Landscaping Plan

I did email for information from the city today and received the following information.

Gary Bleck was able to hire Peru Greenhouse for under $5000 to weed and plant flowers in 4 city parks: Washington, Centennial, Veterans, and Baker Lake. They will do no maintenance and the remaining parks in Peru were not mentioned and at this point I don't know if they will receive any care other than the mowing done by the summer help.

Why wasn't this mentioned by either our mayor or superintendent of public works at the city council meeting on Monday? Your guess is as good as anybody elses.

The city stated that it was done because of Memorial Day.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

So what if Memorial Day is coming up. What kind of reasoning is that? So who will be taking care of it now? Volunteers could have easily done what they did for a heck of alot less than $5,000. Thanks for checking into this Lois.

Anonymous said...

$5000 for a days work done by one us citizen and a handful of illegals? Seems like a lot. Seems like a scam. Still seems like Hurl and Bleck did this just to prove they can and piss off Rod.

Anonymous said...

Ottawa is now considering having drop off bins for yard waste bags, saving thousands of dollars per year. Peru please take note before spending more money. They are also doing away with the leaf vac. Read the entire article in the Ottawa Times today.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Since when have we ever worried about having our parks and flower beds done by Memorial Day? Since when have we ever really worried about our so called flower beds? Whether Mr. Bleck has the authority to do what he did (hire the greenhouse) or not isn't the problem. This topic has been being discussed for the last several weeks and wouldn't it have been common courtesy for him to discuss his plans with the Public Property committee? How can we expect Peru to grow when our governing body cannot work within itself let along with the ordinary citizens?

Anonymous said...

this is off topic, but who is in charge of cutting the grass in the medians of the route 6 & route 251 interchange? the grass is so high you can't see oncoming traffic. if my grass was that high the city would be all over me!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if the weed bed at the west entrance to the Baker Lake walkway will be taken care of by the Greenhouse?

Anonymous said...

8:57. That's the state's responsibility.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone become aware that the problem is that the city government is no longer working for the city and its populace but is working for their self achievement and gain!

Anonymous said...

same old city supers and mayor !! do as i do not as we should for the better of peru . city officals are crooks and the sooner the 30% realize it the better the city will be .

Anonymous said...

Lois when can you fond out how to remove Harl? 70% of us never voted for him!! We want him gone!!

Peru Town Forum said...

2:08 PM

To think that 2 out of every 3 people did not vote for him. It is a bummer for sure.

Anonymous said...

There has to be a way to legally remove him for unethical and immoral behavior. Not to mention incompetence!!

Peru Town Forum said...

I am watching the city video from May 20. Please watch and consider that during the landscaping discussion under the Peru public property meeting presentation, neither the mayor or spw relay the information that they have already hired the Peru Greenhouse and that they will begin the work the next day. The mayor and spw knew and did not even have the decency to give the information to the aldermen. The lowest of the low imo. Sad state of affairs here in Peru. Leadership and integrity=none!

Anonymous said...

Are we really surprised Lois? I'm sure the aldermen and woman were all aware of it. Well except for Perez. From the circle I play in I heard both of the newly elected officials were aware of that too. Hopefully someday the secrets under the rock of city hall can be told. Until then I'll have to remain anon. All I have to say is good luck Rodney.

Anonymous said...

I would sincerely pray that the newly elected officials were not aware of any agreements that physicall took place the next day and they said nothing. If this is true. WHY?

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:58 This situation creates a challenge to the all city officials as well as the newly elected to offer a answer to acknowledge whether they were aware of agreements with a business to work in the parks the following day and if they were to discuss it at the meeting. There are too many similar accusations in Peru politics presently without being answered which leads one to believe they are fact.
The organization of strong volunteer groups is needed as a check and balance system for present Peru government. This is what Peru needs and its present government fears the most. This administration will not be satisfied until it has complete and unquestioned control.

Anonymous said...

I see the flower area around Maud Powell's statue now has flowers planted. I wonder who did that?

Art said...

Downtown Peru and Water Street now have beautiful planters and hanging baskets full of flowers thanks to Alderman Perez and volunteers. Thanks to all who contributed it is a job well done.

Anonymous said...

To Art
From Rodney Perez

I must clarify... If it wasn't for Sherry Mayszak this wouldn't have happened. This was a project Sherry wanted to do over the last couple years. Because of Mike Watts resignation the opportunity arose. Unfortunately Sherry's term ended. I'm glad the opportunity came because it opened the doors for Sherry to continue the opportunity to serve the city while enjoying what she loves to do.

Thank You!
And Big Kudos to all who've helped get this going... Including you Art:-)

Anonymous said...

Landscapping is just another example of Perus lack of having ANY panning - short range or long range. Nor do the people presently in charge want any planning. They seem to be all about themselves and what is in it for them.

Anonymous said...

This is not Sherry's and her Mothers first year of doing outstanding flower planting in Peru. Thank you Ladies.

Sherry Mayszak said...

3:25. Thanks! I love pretty plants and flowers and I got that from my mom. They just make everything look a little nicer!

I spoke to Chris Ellberg from Peru Greenhouse, and she told me they donated the flowers and planted them around the Maud Powell statue. I know that was part of their original bid, but since they didn't get the full bid, they were under no obligation to stand by that. The bid amount for that donation was $2,500. I really appreciate them doing that. I also asked about her comment about having volunteers help, and she said what she meant was she was willing to work with the volunteers but didn't want to supervise or organize them. I totally understand that. This is their business and they are in business to make a living, just like any other business owner. They don't have time for organizing or supervising.

The owner of the furniture store on Route 6 came out when we were planting flowers and said he would water and care for all 6 planters on his block.

Hy-Vee sold us the plants at a discount.

The fire dept took over the planting and care of their flower area and it looks great.

Thanks to all of those that have helped.

With all these people helping out the volunteers, I think it's been a good start this year. The city is shaping up and looking good, and the more people who help in any small way, the easier it is for everybody. I hope to see this grow next year and be better than this year.