“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

Saturday, May 04, 2013

Peru Council Committee Appoints Take Place Monday May 6



Second Meeting May 6
Second Meeting May 6






56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Applicants save your postage stamp money and time spent for a computer resume. 100 to 1 odds from the east end going to the west end that this public works city engineer is a employee of a local consulting engineering firm and has been consulting Peru government for over the last year. If you don't want anything discovered keep all of the past in house. Anyone whose house was recently flooded that thinks this is going to give them a fair shake better hope for no heavy thunderstorms.

Anonymous said...

Why were two appoints made for the Rec. Board when only one opening was announced? The second opening has yet to be publicly announced at a formal meeting for anyone who wants to apply. There are legal and ethical formalities to be observed by city government, even by a Mayor.

Anonymous said...

Is it legal to announce a letter of resignation, accept it and fill it at the same meeting without opening the position to all citizens of the city? Also there appears to be reappointments to some boards without any announcement that they are available because of terms being fulfilled timewise.
Mayor Harl has to be taught that Peru is a city in the United States which exists as a DEMOCRARCY! He appears to have forgotten this as he campaigned under it in his first election.

Anonymous said...

Harl promised to publish all committee and city job openings. You are correct Anon 12:30. Remember how upset Harl and campaign supporters would get if something was brought up at a city council meeting if it was not on the agenda.
He set the record for the number of closed sessions held in one four year term now I see he is starting his second term with a closed session meeting. He has had more closed sessions than all Mayors of Peru combined.

Anonymous said...

I see where Linda D. has been appointed to the Rec Bd. Truthfully this can't be Smirkin Linda can it? There you go, your doing it again, I'm watching you, there you did it again your smirkin Linda, don't say your not I saw you.
Would it be appropriate to pass the hat to buy Linda a pickleball paddle? Ha Ha

Anonymous said...

Motion to seek applicants for
"Public Works City Engineer".
What a joke these phony aldermen and mayor are. It is going to be comical to watch these mopes going through the motions pretending to seek out a qualified and independent city engineer. Who among these fools would know a qualified engineer if they met one?
Talk about the blind leading the blind. Shame on each and every one of them for playing along with this farce. I'll give 1000 to 1 odds that this new City Engineer will not be new in any sense of the word. What a damn disgrace.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps a replacement for Gary Bleck?

Anonymous said...

If the problem in selecting a "Public Works City Engineer" is that the Mayor or City Council are considered unqualified to choose a engineer on his professional qualifications why not reenact the previous infrastructure committee minus the appointed city officials (4 aldermen) to make this choice.
There could be several means of creating a independent interview and selection committee which has no ties or bias. One of the recent candidates for Mayor, Mike Hart, has a extensive background with the state and would be a great committee member if he himself is not a candidate. Steve Weberski was also a member of the infrastructure committee who has a understanding of what the city engineer will encounter. Justin Loger was also a active member of the infrastructure committee who would be a valuable committeee member and a representative of the younger age group. A group which must be acknowledged and represented.
Exactly what is a Public Works City Engineer. I sincerely hope that it is not a Superintendent of Public Works with a different title.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like Peru is going to get more of the same old thing with a new title for disguise. That way when the same face sits in the same seat for the same job everyone can act surprised!
The fans are already chanting PHONY PHOOEY, PHONY PHOOEY, PHONY PHOOEY!

Anonymous said...

The candidate has already been decided. The rest is just to make it look like they will seek applicants. My question is why would he leave the position he now holds? I find it hard to believe that the city position would pay more than what he is making now, and if it does, RC should be ashamed of himself!

Anonymous said...

To 11:22 pm - You make a great point. It was the Infrastructure Committee who first pointed out more than two years ago that an "independent" city engineer should be a priority in Peru. Also, you forgot to mention Mr. Jeff Shaw who was a member of that now defunct committee. Mr. Shaw, a professional engineer himself who works for the U.S. Department of Transportation would be a great asset in vetting a qualified engineer for our city. This is exactly why the aldermen "killed" the infrastructure committee two years ago. The last thing they wanted was honest, ethical advice on hiring a qualified and independent engineer. Honest and ethical is not their style.
It's obvious our elected officials have no intention of seeking the best possible candidate for this position. They are simply seeking to install one of their own from the existing crop of Chamlin engineers who will be considered a city employee but will continue to funnel the majority of engineering work through Chamlin & Associates.
No difference from the way it is now.
It's actually the best of both worlds for Chamlin. Now, not only do they have the mayor and aldermen in their pocket, they will have a "double-agent" on the inside not so secretly protecting the Chamlin interests.
You've got to hand it to these guys. They have no shame and they are laughing all the way to the bank.
The mayor and aldermen of Peru are poised and ready to give up the keys to the candy store. This council continues to provide for the special interests (Chamlin and others) who have consistently failed to provide for citizens of Peru. They say the definition of "dumb" is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.
Of the two entities involved in this ongoing tragedy (Peru city council and Chamlin) only one of them fits the previous description, and it sure as hell aint Chamlin & Associates.
Wouldn't it be nice if we had elected officials with integrity and the stones to stand up to these special interests. Too bad.

Anonymous said...

The methods being used and the end results are and will be nothing but a facade enabling RC to have complete control of all engineering to be conducted in the future of Peru as Chamlain Eng. has had in the past 65 years. He is going to be granted his own Trump Taj Mahal without having any of the expenses and responsibilities.
It is not hard to believe that the person who is getting the job will make more working for the city than for RC. The present SPW makes over $90,000/year without any schoolastic degrees and specific job knowledge and was appointed because of senority.
What is difficult to comprehend is why Peru is so scared of creating competition in its occupational openings. Creativity wise anything Peru government is involved in they wallow within their own past trying to create a future in which every other city is passing us by.

Anonymous said...

I also hear that there is a big push to hire a landscaping and lawn care company to take over the city's parks. I wonder what specificiations (in any) were sent out and to how many local businesses, how many responded and exactly what specific duties they are to perform. Does anyone know if this was publicly posted in our newspaper?

Anonymous said...

Nothing is publicly posted in the newspaper. Even if it is mandated by law it is not posted publicly. I would think that, Kim Reese, the Human Resources Manager which is a full time position could be hung out to dry for ignoring legal mandates.

Anonymous said...

Can anybody tell me what Reese does?

Anonymous said...

One person was asked to bid on the landscaping job and was told to keep under $25,000 so it doesn't have to be bid out to everyone. Same old Peru. Should've fired Harl last month!

Anonymous said...

Wow 8:38 if that is true and you can prove it.......

Anonymous said...

I thought anything over $20,000 had to go out for bid. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Anonymous said...

Any and every thing over $20,000 is legally to be presented for competitive bidding. Anything and every thing per city department purchased over $5,000 is to be presented by the department head of that particular department for the finance committees approval before purchase. How could city disbursements be accumulated of over $5,000 and than approved if this ordinance was adherred to. Recent example is the BB Gun Club.

Peru Town Forum said...

11:00 AM

It is the grey area just below %5000 or below the 20,000 mark where the avoidance of bidding occurs and avoids having to abide by city ordinance and/or sending to committee or council.
Most contractors would do with $50 or $100 less if they were given the job with no bidding having to be done. I do believe dept. heads and the city council would always approve of that if the contractor met with their approval.
As is now, it is too easy to avoid looking for other contractors when you can give it to the "usual" one so easily.

Anonymous said...

Sorry it is $20000 . Attend tonight's meeting and you will see its true. Dirty Peru politics at its finest. At least Bleck and Harl will be getting free grass mowing out of it as a kickback !

Anonymous said...

The landscaping bid will come in under the $20,000 threshold, but wait for the add-ons that will come later.

Peru Town Forum said...

Not% but$

Anonymous said...

I don't care what the bid comes in at what specifications and duties did we advertise for and did we publish it in the local newspaper or was it just by word of mouth and inside contacts? Was it just for cuttings grass and trimming or was it for planting, landscaping, tree trimming, etc. If so I would find it hard to believe that someone would do that entire job for under $20,000.

Anonymous said...

Lawn care is probably the most cut throat business there is . If it goes to bid should be competitive.

Anonymous said...

If there are add ons that raise the cost above $20,000 the contract should have a clause that it must be reopened. Now stating this You and I both know it will not be unless the person catching it has the desire and clout to force it to be.
Presently I cannot remember any ads in the paper.

Peru Town Forum said...

Talked to the city clerk in search of information about our care of the parks. Summer help is returning and the city did not feel it was necessary for them to put information out to the public about submitting applications for that work. It will be the same as last year plus children of some who were in on the need. The landscaping will be to fill the void that the horticulturist left when he left. Plantings in various city parks and other areas are what we are seeking hired landscapers for.

Peru Town Forum said...

Forget to add that unless a miracle takes place, our parks will continue to look like forgotten ragamuffins.

Anonymous said...

You mean we have nobody on the payroll (including the summer help) that can plant flowers without hiring a professional service? And where did we get all the applicants if we didn't feel it necessary to advertise the need for help in the paper (family and friends???).

Anonymous said...

Hope the videotape of tonights meeting is going to be posted, so I can see and hear all the clowns. Regarding cut throat businesses: if I owned a business and paid my help less then minimum wage and cash, and most of my workers were illegals I would be able to be the low bidder for any job! Wonder how many landscaping businesses actually pay workmanship compensation? Will we taxpayers be able to see the names of summer hirees? I can't understand why the city has to hire a landscaping company in the first place. Is the city that incompetent that the workers they have now can't do it? Waste of money!!!!

Anonymous said...

Information from the city clerk regarding summer employment. No ad in paper. Who made that decision? Wonder if city clerk has kids who will get a summer job with the city? The reason I asked this question is because someone mentioned it at a ball game. Good question about seeing names of who is hired on for this summer.

Anonymous said...

4:34 That appears to be the case.

Anonymous said...

I believe if the amount goes over $20,000, then the company who gets hired must pay prevailing wage and that may change how much their bid would be.

Anonymous said...

I see the landscaping bids will be discussed at the Public Property Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Anonymous said...

"The more things change the more they stay the same". A couple of nights ago someone mentioned that Peru has a full time Human Resource Manager. Would'nt this person and the City Attorney advise the Mayor and council that they could be creating a lawsuit by not advertising jobs in the paper. The city is setting a fine example for its youth.

Anonymous said...

You first need youth to care and show interest

Peru Town Forum said...

10:53 PM

Youth usually takes a clue from the adults in their life especially with something as foreign to them as municipal government. Do they even teach civics any longer in school?

Anonymous said...

11:35 Nope. Our education system is a joke, you hear about that all the time from our children, but that is an entirely different subject

Anonymous said...

From Anon 8:36 thru Anon 6:37 which is presently the last comment. Adults are the primary example to youth and have a responsibility to their youth of enforcing discipline and to maintain youths respect.
If these responsibilities are accomplished youth upon becoming adults will make good masters of our government.

Anonymous said...

Civics is most certainly taught in junior high with 8th graders being required to pass a constitution test both for Illinois and the federal government. To 6:47: if you think you can do a better job educating our kids, I'm sure a verteran teacher would welcome you into the classroom to try. Before you criticize-try it out for a day. It's tougher than you think.

Anonymous said...

Maybe, if it's so tough to teach a kid today, we should have them learn by computer. Maybe book learning is getting too boring for them.

Anonymous said...

It was a tough job even 50 years ago. It doesn't matter what tools the teacher uses, the job is still a tough one. What makes it even harder is the lack of respect some of the public has towards the profession, which does rub off on kids exposed to these disrespectful ideas. 6:47-educating kids is no joke, it is critical to the future of our country.

Anonymous said...

Public Works City Engineer
City of Peru - Peru, IL

It is posted on Indeed.com

Anonymous said...

Talk about wasting money? The city needs to cut back on wasteful spending. EXAMPLE-the city vehicles are supposed to be used for official city busines-right? Then, I ask why our Peru Fire Command (Ford Expidition)vehicle was seen at Shakers in Ottawa recently on a Monday during the noon hour, I can tell you there was no fire that our fire department may assist with! Was our chief conducting official city business in Ottawa-what for?, or was he using our vehicle for his personal fire related business? I doubt he was conducting city business due to the fact he was alone! Nust be nice to drive 15 miles without having the cost of gas at 3.79/gallon for lunch in Ottawa when Peru has plenty of great places to eat!

Anonymous said...

9:09, a female friend of his works in that area. Maybe they had lunch! Personal use? Taxpayers pay? Didn't Harl re-appoint this person as fire chief two weeks ago. Whoever oversees the fire department should ask for a
Receipt from shakers to see a bill.

Anonymous said...

Wow 9:09. Why does that surprise you? Fire chief Mr. King donated $600 to Harls campaign fund. And recently he was re-appointed as fire chief. Transparency! How about the other command vehicle driven by Asst chief at a band on Saturday's? Personal use! Doesn't shakers serve alcohol? Also, regarding planting flowers
At fire station, why can't the fireman themselves do it? Oh, they wouldn't get paid. Sad!

Anonymous said...

Who had possession to this vehicle on Monday afternoon? Does the mayor and city council know about vehicle at shakers on a Monday afternoon. Must be true about it being in that location at shakers in Ottawa since blogger knew I'd day of week and the approximate time. Is this another needle in a haystake? Next thing is that this command vehicle will need to be replaced. Are logbooks kept on city vehicles?

Anonymous said...

It seems that he was alone that his lunch partner hadn't probably arrived yet. Nice hiding spot maybe in my opinion. it's great that people pay attention and this blog site is an avenue to bring issues to taxpayers attention. Will be interesting if this gets swept under the rug. There is always a way to manipulate the truth in my opinion. Maybe vehicle was being used to get to the Ottawa court house on etna drive. Who knows!

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable 9:09 Wish I had a vehicle to drive for free and go to lunch, or for what other reasons i may have. Errands, etc... Wasn't there another time a ways back many times where a command vehicle for fire department was driven to ADM( If I remember correctly) by the assistant fire chief to and from his full time job there? On taxpayers monies! Correct me if I'm wrong. This is wrong!

Anonymous said...

@blog ambassador, 9:09's blog needs a title of it's own so more taxpayers will read and take note. it's taxpayers money that pay for city vehicles.

Anonymous said...

Chief King, indeed has a lovely significant other, Peggy, who happens to work in Ottawa. He may have been there on official business, court matters or fire dept related issues. What's wrong with him having lunch with his live in? Let's not start rumors until we have facts!

Anonymous said...

It has been discussed on numerous occassions about city vehicles being used for personal use. The mayor should take control of this issue and put a stop to it period! Mayor Harl should have nipped this in the bud four years ago.

Peru Town Forum said...

To all that have posted about Chief King, I suggest you take your complaints about personal usage of city owned vehicles to Mayor Scott Harl. He is the one who has appointed King twice and he is his boss. All the "talk" on this blog about Kings behavior is not effective. The blog is only a vehicle, it is up to you and others when they see something wrong to complain to the proper source. If all of you commenting on the subject called the mayor or made an appt. to see him, maybe you would find out the truth on this matter, I will not post you comments any longer, give me proof of wrong doing and then come back.

Anonymous said...

It boggles my mind that the city employees can't do landscaping. . It's planting bushes, flowers and using a shovel. If help is needed in regards to designing areas to be landscaped, the web is the place to look and design. This is about wasting money of the taxpayers! Look at all the homeowners that do their own landscaping and don't own a landscaping business. You would think a greenhouse business in Peru would volunteer some time and design services (free of charge).

Anonymous said...

Congrats to L-P choir on going to Carnegie Hall to perform next year!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Olgesby getting a country market grocery store with a pharmacy. This I believe will have a impact on groceries stores in Peru. It would be less congested for LaSalle residents to drive to Olgesby to grocery shop and Olgesby residents will shop there also. Less tax revenue for Peru. Congratulation City of Olgesby. What happened
with Trader Joes coming to Peru?