The Peru Greenhouse gave the only bid before the volunteers went ahead and did some of the flower planting so it was agreed to go out for bids once again with different specifications for the job.
Just last night the only bid received was for app. $15,000 by Specialty and no bids by Peru Greenhouse. I was told this is a Peru Greenhouse truck at the location.
So whose shoulders shall we place this upon?
65 comments:
Were they working or maybe just re-working a bid amount?
I don't think so because the second bid was $3000 less after the planters were done at little cost to the city. Actually I think the flowers were something like 287.00 and with no labor cost because they were done by volunteers.
Perhaps they were sent by someone not aware that no agreement had been signed with the city.
It was definitely a Peru Greenhouse truck and workers. You mean nobody is aware or will admit to hiring them? Did council approve it at last night's meeting? If so, I would have thought someone would have admitted such by now. Is this the SPW responsibility, or councils, or public propertys, or park boards? Seems as those we have a major disconnect within our city. Why can't the summer hire-es do this work?
Now they're at Centennial Park working. Can someone tell me if this was approved at last night's council meeting? If so, then everything is on the up and up. If not, wonder who gave the go ahead to Peru Greenhouse?
When your own city mayor lacks common decency to work with his elected officials, your city may look good but it will rot from within.
It looks at this point, that the mayor did not want the volunteers to do anymore "volunteer" work and somehow and some way, made a deal to have Peru Greenhouse do the work without even notifying the head of the public property committee, Ald. Perez of what he planned to do.
We are going to be governed by a municipal government that will be like a dictatorship. My way or the highway. Sad day for this city.
This was not approved at the council meeting last night. Perez and Mueller presented another option as well as another bid. So the mayor pulled rank and did what he wanted without committee approval or even committee knowledge. Wow, I wonder how Perez and Mueller feel about that?
Recall him for lying and remove Bleck from his post for being unethical
The parks will look nice but that is not the point at this time.
There was a public property meeting last night which neither Harl or Bleck attended. That would have been the place to voice dissent and tell both of the committee members he was going over their heads to get this done now but he evidently does not have the integrity or honesty but instead shows his true colors.
My question, as a citizen whose tax dollar is being used for this project, is how much is it costing us? I know there was a lower bid presented so did the Peru Greenhouse beat that bid?I'm pretty sure policy is that council needs to approve projects over $5,000 and I'm pretty sure this project is way over that.
Peru was once my hometown. I joined the military moved to California and only visit every few years. I tried publishing a news forum in the news paper and was denied because of my residence. If this crap is happening the people need to know it. Publish anger in a news paper forum. People need to know what is going on there.
Hmmmm... Sounds to me like our Mayor is following the example of our President. If you can't get it done in the legislative branch - issue ane "Executive Order."
I wonder how much Geenhouse money is in the "golf event" this summer. Or... will it be green be hidden behind employee "donations."
A chameleon has no true colors but is any of various lizards that can change the color of their skin and personality to adapt to the envirnoment.
The chameleon is often found in plants at greenhouses and is known to be very untrustworthy and of a species not to turn your back on. As the chameleon ages it tends to enlarge and become a nuisance.
7:19 Leave lizard analogies out of this please. Or at least make them clear. Chameleons are not trustworthy? As opposed to what. A bearded Dragon is what you are supposed to give your bank code?
They are not pests as they get larger.
My main problem is whenever people on this forum try to get cute with these things, I can't tell what they are trying to say. They have a little play going on in their own head.
Are you ripping on Rod or the Mayor? Can't tell which.
Heard today that mayor is going to appoint Oscepinski sr to be parks director. Democrats take care of each other for sure!
Bleck needs fired and Harl needs removed from office! They are both crooks and liars! At least we know they'll both have their houses landscaped for free this summer! Hurl won with 30% of the vote. The other 70% that are sick of his backroom politics and shady deals need to replace him. He's getting fatter in more ways than one!
I heard the guy that took this picture is now getting threatened by the greenhouse . I guess he let the cat out of the bag sooner than brucie wanted. Shame on you Peru Greenhouse!!
It's amazing that Bleck and Harl are sabotaging the volunteer group by not getting stuff ready for when the volunteers are working. Bleck had the watering trailer hid last week so they couldn't use it. However they improvised and got it done! Its so sad that the Mayor condones this behavior and participates . Why doesn't he and his wife try helping instead if hindering! Why dont the other alderman help ? A lot of them drove by but never stopped! Volunteering shows your love for the city you are supposed to represent . You all should try it!
The reason Bleck and Hurl weren't at the meeting and why Greenhouse never submitted a second bid was because the deal was already made between Bleck, Hurl, and Peru Greenhouse. They did what they wanted and Rodney didn't know anything about it until today. Whether or not Mueller was in on it, is still unknown. This is unethical behavior and Hurl and Bleeeck need Fired by us taxpayers! Shady! Bribes rule in Peru!
When this is all said and done I bet we pay the greenhouse over $30,000 with add-ons and extras. And it'll be just like the gun club, crooked with thieves!
Anon 8:28 PM Reference 5:28PM What you are considering trying to be cute is only 4 comments above 7:19 PM. Everyone else besides you understood, but as Jack said "The truth, you can't handle the truth", sorry that this blog is too deep for you.
Go to a city council meeting and observe who gets as red as a thermometer when confused or confronted it isn't Alderman Rod.
10:11 PM
I think you have nailed it on the head. Fine representation we have here in Peru, just about like living in the "big" city here in Illinois.
I think all the olden days crooked Chicago politicians came from Peru. And its the same ole story here in Peru. You scratch my back and I'll landscape your yard for free!
I think Peru volunteers need to do some research on what some Ottawans used to refer to as "gorilla gardening!" Gather your gardening supplies, your flashlights, your gardener armies, and meet at the dirt patch at 0300. By the time the politicians awake, everything is beautiful and in bloom. Fortunately for Peru's beautiful city to the east, their volunteer gardeners are now very much appreciated. (And they don't have to sneak around under the cover of darkness to get their gardens planted. Mayor Bob welcomes their efforts at all hours of the day. Some tell me he has even brought them lemonade!)Good luck Peru. This isn't about plants. It's about honesty, respect, humility, and integrity getting trampled by arrogance, entitlement, and greed. Can you afford to wait until the next election to do something? And what then if your effort is not enough? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ALREADY! Grab a pitchfork and do something. At least when you are digging in the dirt, you can feel like you have contributed to something positive in your city.
I agree, Harl needs removed from office!
This a is all ridiculous!
He's supposed to be our leader and he pulls this crap?
Rod emailed Bleck for keys to the greenhouse and never heard from him. Rod got them from another employee. Has this become typical of how Perez will now be treated by city officials? He is an elected official and above Bleck in the chain of command. If Perez asks for something, Bleck should respond. Sounds like Bleck is being told what to do or not to do from somebody higher up in the chain.
People say to get rid of Bleck and Harl but no one does anything about it.
Seen this morning at 8:30AM parked on the road alongside the former Peru Pool Site - a white truck with green printed lettering - R&R Landscapping and Irrigation. Two men are spreading seed inside the area lined by plastic which is where the former Veterans Pool was located. Why would a project such as this not be done by summer help if not by year round city employees. Why is planting grass seed sub contracted?
The age old excuse by the SPW that he doesn't have the time has been and is unacceptable. When he had 41 summer help employees last summer he did not know what to do with them. How many days a week does the SPW work, or should I say how many days a week is the SPW on the job?
I don't think that Bleck is supervised by Perez! I thought Perez was on the fire committee? He is now supervising parks? How can planting flowers turn into another chapter of bizzaro?
Aldermen are above dept heads. Perez is now on the Public Property committee. Everybody is supposed to work together, not go behind an alderman's back and decide an issue that will cost well over the $5,000 limit for committee approval. Whoever made the decision to hire Peru Greenhouse did it wrong and it will be very interesting to see how this plays out at the next council meeting. I'm sure Perez will be looking for answers, as he should be.
10:00 AM
After the election the public property committee had no members. He (the mayor) appointed Rodney and Becky to the committee and this was not until May 9 when the new members were sworn in. So today his May 22, only 2 weeks later and the mayor has chosen to not work with the committee but to use his executive power to make his own decisions and go out and hire the greenhouse. This may turn out to be one job that they wished they had never agreed to.
I still want to know how much extra this is costing us, the taxpayers. Why can't we do any of these jobs in house??\ Isn't this the type of job we hire our summer help to do?
So is this about Mayor Harl's choice vs Ald. Perez's choice? Looks like a rerun from the fireworks discussion.
Did anyone FOIA the contract yet? I'm sorry but I won't believe it until I see a contract or something with proof since people tend to jump to conclusions here. Although this one might actually be justified.
11:48 AM
I just sent an email to the City Clerk about details.
11:48 I agree with you that people do tend to jump to conclusions but this situation is real. Several citizens did witness the Peru greenhouse doing work at Washington and Centennial Parks. The public property committee did not hire them and the city council did not approve a contract with them at Monday's meeting. Nobody is admitting to anything and no one is telling us if there even is a contract and how much it is for and what type of work it includes.
This administration is all about lies and back stabbing! And the mayor is the leader! Sad that our mayor is like that! And he pushes department heads and other officials to do the same.
its sad and funny that anybody would believe any of these science fiction post. ask the Mayor, call the city clerk, see the SPW. you will find out that this is another drummed dream.
Lois- Wasn't there discrepancy and allegations by the garbage hauler a couple months ago about this administration not following proper bidding procedures?
I thought we would've saw a little change with this past election. The test will come at next Wed council meeting. I hope the new alderman and alderwoman stand to do what's right for us tax payers.
3:04 Pm
What is not funny is that the information was not given to the public at the last city council meeting, the people of this city should not have to constantly foia the informaion. A transparent government which this city claims to have should practice exactly that and not wait for somebody to foia each and every thing that is done. Isn't this the word on the city web site A Transparent Government but evidently not for the general public.
I find it odd that Alderman Perez is not on the police, fire/safety committee anymore. Wonder why this is? Wonder if it had anything to do with OPERATION PROMISE and the donation that supposedly was put into the wron account. How long did it take for this mistake to be found? And how long did it take to straighten it out? A blog title with many blogs about this.
I disagree with some of these comments concerning Aldermen directing employees. An Alderman should never be directly involved in day to day operations. In our current form of government, that is the job of the Mayor. In a Manager form of government, it would be the job of the City Manager - Here is an example from a Council-Manager ordinance (note that in a Council-Manager form, the Mayor is a member of the Council):
"Neither the council nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or removal from, office by the city manager or any of the manager’s subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative services of the city. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administration solely through the city manager and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager, either publicly or privately."
I disagree with some of the comments concerning Aldermen directing city employees. In our current form of Government, that is the Job of the Mayor. An Alderman should not be directly involved in the day to day operations of the City and should never give a city employee an order or direction. In the Council-Manager form, the Mayor becomes a member of the Council and the Manager takes over the day to day operations. Here is part of a Council-Manager ordinance:
"Neither the council nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or removal from, office by the city manager or any of the manager’s subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative services of the city. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administration solely through the city manager and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager, either publicly or privately."
@8:28 p.m., not difficult to figure out. Here is one for you: It's not a surprise that dishonesty of a person lowers that persons credibility!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So true!
Brian would you elaborate on your city manager council ordinance? Where did you obtain the ordinance? Do all city manager councils have this ordinance and is it a must?
Surely you would not disagree with a alderman reqesting from a dept. hd. a piece of simple equipment to be used for city purposes on a day when it is not being used. There is a question of teamwork involved and the example shown was in poor taste, not mentioning any business aspects.
I got the example from the ICMA (International City/County Manager Association) - I am still researching the Illinois Municipal Code - but I THINK that the duties and responsibilities of the manager would include what I posted above. Duties and responsibilities for the Mayor, Clerk, Treasuerer, are also spelled out for the Strong Mayor form of governement - check out Peru's code of ordinances and you will see this.
I disagree with an Alderman asking a city employee to do anything. This disagreement is on principal. The Mayor is the CEO and the employees work for him through the department heads.
The chain of command must be followed.
I agree that there is a question around the teamwork concept. Teamwork comes from the top, for the most part. As a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, I have spent countless hours, days, months, reinforcing teamwork within the chain of command. I can tell you one thing for sure - from the outside looking in, I see no teamwork in the city government. How could there be? There is no goal... no long term plan... no vision for the future. That is what the Mayor and Council should be working on. Alderman Perez has brought this up before. Without the long term plan, all the tactical activities, such as planting flowers, are meaningless to a point.
Brian, then why have aldermen?
@10:22 - The Aldermen is like a member of the board of directors. They provide guidance to the Mayor and approve or disapprove his or her actions. They help develop the strategic framework (the vision, mission, values, strategies, goals, and actions) that defines what the organization is and where it is going. They provide a check on the executive power - just like congress.
10:22 they plant flowers and pretend to boss around employees.
Bloggers- Mr. Brian Foster has some valid points. The reason for major chaos in Peru is due to lack of leadership. Perfect example of why support should go behind Alderman Perez for Mayor of Peru.
Brian, guidance was provided to the mayor by the public property committee about hiring 2 temporary adult workers. The mayor and/or Super Bleck went against the committee's decision and did what they wanted. So what's the point of having aldermen????
What's the point of citizens caring if the city is not willing to work "with" them rather than "against" them?
From the information posted, it appears the Bleck got a better price than Perez. From the post it states that Perez got one bid, why did he get only one bid from one contractor? Was Perez authorized by the Mayor, Bleck, Committee to get only the one bid? If he wasn't authorized to get the bids, chaos would be the expected outcome. If someone from the Mayor's office requested the bids from Perez, then they share in the outcome.
Anon 9:48 if Rod would cooperate and realize Mayor Harl runs Peru we wouldn't be having this debate. Team work does work. Rod just needs to throw up his arms and join the Team.
9:59 AM
It is very apparent that you do not understand how our municipal government works. You don't understand how the committees which are composed of aldermen work and the mayor has no veto power over their decisions but the city council does. Ald Perez was doing everything right and the way it should be done. BTW, it has become very common for only one bid to come in on projects as in the streets the last few years. I suggest you attend a few committee meetings and council meetings.
9:59. It's obvious you have no clue of what really happened.
10:40. Why doesn't the council join Rod's team? There are so many opportunities for council members to be out in the community volunteering to make Peru a better place. Have you seen any of them besides Rod?
Check out page 3 of the 5/22/13 disbursements on the city website. One line above the last. David Bartley/petty cash. Miscellaneous Officials dinner $250.00. What was this for? Why did the money come from petty cash and not have the check written directly to the restaurant? Who all went? Was it from several dinners or just one?
Also looking at page 4 of the disbursements and the 4th item down is to Cohard Jewelers. $575 for watches for Ankiewicz and Mayszak. What are they made out of platinum? Pretty expensive watches if you ask me. That was made out to Cohards, but the dinner came from petty cash. Why??
Anon: 11:38
Great Question, what was that dinner for? Was this a luncheon for city officials? Did Alderman Perez enjoy a tax payer meal too?
11:44 AM
I learned just this year that it it the practice of the city to give retiring aldermen a watch. They also give them a dinner which I know Sherry Mayszak did not attend but believe that Ald. Ankiewicz did and I will also bet that Ald. Perez did not attend. I figured the rest of the aldermen would have paid their own way but I guess not.
Where, Who, What. Did Sherry return the watch?
A nice watch for less than two years of public service. I hope Ankiewicz got a gold one for his decades of public service. Some spaghetti, fries for a out-going official doesn't look to be improper. How do you know who attended?
Why should taxpayers pay for a dinner for anybody? Wouldn't a plaque be sufficient. Was dinner at the all famous restaurant in Lasalle where only the elite(so they think) go! Everybody puts their pants on the same way. Just because one has a polo logo shirt on doesn't make them better. Some people need to take a good look in the mirror. Fake smiles and cockiness is what they'll see in the reflection. Thanks for posting this blog, had to get it off my mind. Hope all have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.
Whats wrong with supporting LaSalle business?
Let's get back to bashing the Greenhouse!
We'll change from bashing the fireman to destroying the Greenhouse!! Crooks
Not bashing 3:53, just truthness! Incompetent city workers and department heads. A city where employees can't do simple landscaping, to save taxpayers money. Here is a suggestion, quit driving around site seeing and assessing what needs to be done, and do some work. Save money on gasoline too.
well we had an electric truck 4:53, don't know what happened to it, but it was a step in the right direction
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