First meeting of the Public Property Committee chaired by Ald. Perez and with new committee member and newly elected alderman Becky Mueller. It became apparent very quickly that Ald. Mueller had been given information prior to the meeting that Ald. Perez did not receive until this evening. Wisely Ald. Perez steered away from any topic he had not received information on before this meeting. My question is "Why would this happen without explanation?"
Most of us have heard the word Landscaping being tossed around city hall for the last couple of weeks. It was known that SPW Bleck had contacted several companies for prices but had not officially gone out for bids. Before the meeting took place, we knew that the Peru Greenhouse and Specialty Services of Peru had been contacted for a price but then tonight Ald. Mueller said that Specialty had contacted her to tell her that were not going to submit a price, so that left only the Peru Green house who had representatives at the meeting.
Ald. Perez brought up the topic of developing a group of citizen volunteers who would be interested in helping to beautify the parks of Peru to reduce the cost even though I did get the feeling from Mayor Harl that money was not a problem and we could afford the $18,000 which did not include hanging baskets. The flowers would include perennials and annuals and they would take care of them throughout the blooming season. We may be able to get a video as this meeting was video taped.
The Mayor indicated that previously he had approached some of the businesses that have concrete planters in front of their locations about helping to care for flowers in them but the businesses did not seem interested. I was told that the Ottawa businesses that have planters directly in front of their stores do help in the upkeep and volunteers take care of the street plantings.
I do believe a volunteer group will form and include Sherry Mayszak. If you are interested in being a part of this group, you might contact her or me or new Rec. Bd. member Linda Dzierzynski or Marsha Perez. We are all in the phone book. Places included in the volunteer plantings would include the Police and Fire Station, Airport and Rotary Park.
16 comments:
Less than a week into his term the mayor thinks he can bully everything through, unreal I think we need a recall vote it will be a long 4 years if not.
Why does it appear that Peru officials have such a disconnect amongst themselves? It appears as though if you don't jump on board their train your left behind and marked as a target. Everyone should be allowed to voice their opinions and compromises made to satisfy all (not just the "in-crowd"). It's a shame that their is such controversy and dissension displayed to those who dare to buck the system for the benefit of those they represent (the citizens of Peru). Officials, listen to your constituents. They often see things that you may be unaware of.
Elected officials need to work for the people and Not for the Mayor. They should work With him, but Not For him.
I hope these new aldermen realize that and choose to work with Alderman Perez and Not against him like the rest seem to do. Lets hope this administration changes their ways.
Well it sounds obvious that Mueller has already fallen in line to kiss the mayors butt and do as he says! Very sad. I miss Sherry already!
What I want to know is why only one company was asked to bid. Kinda guaranteeing the cards are stacked in his favor.
5:48 Lets give Ms. Mueller a chance before we decide if she is a butt kisser. Hopefully she has some common sense and will do what is right, right for the city and right for the taxpayers.
Have you considered that Ald Perez was not prepared and had the information? Have you considered there are no volunteers? Have you considered nobody has stepped forward to ask for volunteers? Have you considered this is not part of the recreation board and asking A member to be involved is a waste of their time. My Guess is you have not thought of anything except to speculate without a fact to back up your silly suggestions.
7:38 PM
Ald Perez was given the information, I believe just prior to the meeting. He does not play that phoney game and is totally upfront about everything. There were volunteers present at the committee meeting and more have come forward since last night. Prior to this NO because there had been no public announcement prior to last evening. Members of the recreation board can be involved in many aspects of this city and we will leave up to them as to what is a waste of their time. The fact is that those present had all the facts you 7:38 PM have none.
LaSalle County Bulletins & Alerts
Keep the volunteer spirit going!
(From The Times Website)
The city of Ottawa is seeking volunteers to help plan and work at the annual Riverfest 2013 celebration. Anyone wishing to donate time and talents to this year's events is invited to attend a meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at City Hall, 301 W. Madison St.
Peru's mayor and council really need to look at Ottawa for inspiration and terrific examples of how volunteers can improve a community.
Volunteers? The Baker administration had a city payroll which 38% of were related to three city officials. There was a continuous reminder of this fact presented by certain officials of this administration at that time. When this years summer help is hired by the unfair methods of non publication it will be interesting to compile the %age of city employees who are related, strong political allies, union brothers and sisters, or dear friends.
Remembering that the present Mayor made a strong campaign issue that all city hirings would be published and there would be a open and fair hiring practice in his tenure. What has happened?
There is never going to be a change in who is to be the consulting engineering firm in Peru as long as the present administration is in office. If you don't believe this inquire as to business and relations in Morris.
You don't ask for volunteers when those close to you have had their pockets lined with your appointments and volunteers would take some of those work hours away from them!
Why does Peru even have a engineering firm which they consult with and pay a enormous sum of money if they are not going to heed its advice? Several years ago at a city council meeting the owner of the firm discussed with the council that it cost Morris, Illinois 70% of what it cost Peru for the same amount of roadwork because Morris used a straight line concept and Peru scattered their work by ward all over town.
Last year even experienced engineers were remarking how foolish Peru was being in its cost to do roadwork ward by ward.
Today 8th street in Peru is being scratched out recently the scattergun method was done in the East end. To satisfy a small number of alderman Peru will pay a $1,000,000 for $700,000 worth of roadwork. Practices such as this are a insult to the pocketbook of the taxpayer. It is truthfully throwing money away.
This has been discussed repeatedly by many citizens and by those who were on the Infrastructure Committee that apparently was dissolved because the alderman felt threatened by the knowledge this committee displayed.
This is why we need to switch to the Manager-Council form of government.
Anon 2:44 A city manager who would change Peru's roadwork to straight line would pay for him/herself three times over and still have everything else which he would save the city money on. For sure a professional would eliminate the cost of 3x5 cards for public comment.
I agree with you 9:29 but it seems as though all of a sudden magically we seem to have an abundance of cash laying around.
Post a Comment