This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“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, August 07, 2013
Concert Revenue Due to the City of Peru
I believe according to ordinance Payment to the city is overdue.
The City has not been reimbursed for the Tim McGraw per ticket facility charge per FOIA request today; which is a violation of clause 21 of ordinance 4989 requiring payment within 14 days after the event. Financial information rewarding parking was also not available for the McGraw concert at this time. Kristy
What would be so hard about knowing hDw many tickets were sold? Didn't the concert sponsor keep track of that and why wouldn't the city know by now how much they collected parking cars? Sounds a little strange to me. If Ms. Noonan doesn't know how many tickets she sold how did she know that she had $5000 to donate to the "Cause"?
IT'S THE MAYOR AND THE ALDERMAN WHO ARE TO BLAME FOR LACK OF LEADERSHIP. THEY RUN FOR OFFICE TO SUPPOSEDLY REPRESENT THE TAXPAYERS AND PEOPLE OF PERU, IN WHICH HAVE BEEN LITERALLY RIPPED OFF BY CONCERT VENUES! WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER THE MAIN PERFORMER TAKES STAGE A COUNT OF HOW MANY PEOPLE PAID(ticket count) THE CONCERT PROMOTOR OR MY FIFTH GRADE CHILD WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT NUMBER. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, ADD TO THE JOKE BOOK. Always a even number of attendees with 00 as the last two.
Why hasn't anybody answered questions in regards to who paid police and firemen for concerts????! The question that caught my attention was in regards to Liberty Fire Company paying fireman out of libertys account. That's a donation organization from taxpayers. If anybody has donated to liberty, would you want your donation paying fireman? For someone else's personal gain. Could blogger be on to something? I read on another blog title and the blogger mentioned that maybe Alderman Perez may answer. People need to wake up and get their morning cup of joe and demand more answers from this administration.
I hate everything...Its so much more fun to point fingers and blame everyone and tell them what they do wrong with my highly important high school diploma!
Apparently the City does not have he figures readily available for parking either per a FOIA request from the McGraw concert over a month ago.
Did the City make any money? Recall Mr. Mlacnik of the IL Dept of Aeronautics said in an email 2/27/13 and I quote "total revenues from all events could reasonably be expected to exceed $67,500 by my estimation" (for 3 concerts).
3:57 Perhaps Mr Mlacknik was referring to what he was planning on receiving personally from the concets?
Getterdone.
3:03 Cant you guys come up with something other than saying the blog posters hate everything? There has never been one post of anything factual from the pro concert folks that answered a single accusation or question.
I still recall the post last year when Kristy stated documented fact, and someone posted the famous response like this "she is lying. I cannot tell you how I know this, but she is lying"
The anti concert crowd gets accused of crying conspiracy. But the pro concert crowd seems to be guarding a deep conspiracy, some great and noble cause that must operate in secrecy and with full support For the charity.
They cannot say how this is , but it is true. Like the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Asking questions is hating and negative.
Bs may not be a strong enough call out fir these clowns.
PERU TAXPAYER CHECK HARLS WAR CHEST AMOUNT !!! MAYBE ANSWERS THEIR ? WHO PAID FOR SPOTLIGHTS AT NORTH PEORIA AND UP ON PLANK ROAD ? HMMMM JUST A QUESTION .
Artists sign contracts that have a guaranteed minimum to perform. They also generally take a high percentage of ticket sales and sometimes a percentage of concessions. So they are covered if the sales are not high enough, and if the sales percent exceed that minimum, they get the agreed per cent of ticket sales.
Long story short, their management usually knows accurately and quickly what the total sales were. There is no rational reason that the concert promoter should not be able to quickly pay the facility fee.
My guess is that the promoter is trying to delay payment or have it be forgiven claiming the concert lost money, or say the city can take it from future concerts that do make money. Only a guess, but like I said, the check to Tug probably went out. Why not the City of Peru?
When the man at the top foes not care about laws when these concerts are concerned, bad things happen.
Does it make you feel good to criticize the amount of education anyone has. Many who could not afford to attend a place of higher learning certainly have more sense than you do. Many of the bloggers do have many years of education beyond that snickered at H.S. diploma It doesn't matter to the rest of us, at least I hope not.
Many times we have heard of someone who dropped out of college or even H.S. and became a millionaire or a well known celebrity.
Glad you didn't sign your name because I don't want to know who you are.
The city knows all the concert figures, they just aren't sharing it with the public. I know this for fact. How can we get them to make the figures public?
It’s becoming more and more apparent that Peru needs to change its form of government. Dixon will be doing it. They will be putting the managerial form of government to a vote in the next election. The managerial form gives executive power to a city manager by state law to run the day-to-day operations of the city. The City Council can put the question on the ballot. The question can also be put on the ballot with a petition signed by 10 percent of the number of people who voted in the last mayoral election.
3,208 votes where cast in the Mayoral Election. The issue to change the government to managerial can be put on the ballot with 321 signatures. Somebody figure out how to do this and I will circulate a petition.
You need to be careful about this. If this issue gets on the ballot and becomes another fraction of the vote, drawing away from a competent challlenger to Harl, and everyone who is supporting a candidate votes against it, it will be a big fail.
Dixon experienced a total no confidence in government. I don't know if they switched by petition, or by the action of the council.
Peru clearly does not have a majority in favor of Harl, but it is a divided and partisan electorate. I don't know the number of registered voters, but that turn out seems respectable based on total population. Harl will stay in power until the old guard fades and throws support behind a single challenger, or the council moves to allow run offs without majority.
That would be the petition I would sign. Run offs without majority, or support a mayoral candidate who publicly advocates city manager style government.
I do not wish to demean any step of formal education which indicates how many years you have attended school to learn to appreciate the different aspects of life. But I also wish to emphasize that informal education is the true educator of ones entire life. Lifes experiences are the educators and prepartories of the future situations we encounter, As our mistakes, as well as our successes, are some of our greatest teachers. Because a person has achieved the status of going to 8 years of education or 12 years or beyond does not make them any more intelligent than the person who hasn't. It simply means that they have accumulated a longer time frame of formal education. Always remember that anyone can teach you something , that there should not be a day that you don't learn something new and never, never stop learning. There is mental passing as well as physical death - it is up to you as a individual that the latter comes first.
Anon 9:53 You state that "Harl will stay in power until the old guard fades and throws support behind a single chalanger, or the council moves to allow run offs without majority". The old guard made a strong effort to seek out a willing candidate but no one choose to accept their support. Instead they decided to run independently of the past administrations strength. This was a huge political mistake which resulted in a losing three way race allowing the incumbent to win with 35% of the vote and the runnerup to accumulate 26% and the 3d place to get 25% with the fourth candidate obtaining 12%. The election of 2013 should be a education to all who would like to see a REAL CHANGE In the election of 2017. The Mayors, City Clerks, and Treasurers races should all be limited to a two candidate race, otherwise Peru may go on endlessly being goverened within the same conditions.
Anon 9:14 Yes we have a managerial form of government when we elect a Mayor but this does not assure us of having a manager or more important a leader when we elect a Mayor.
Everyone please read the Illinois Municipal Code - it explains the types of municipal governments we can have. We currently have a Mayor and Council. If we switch to a Council Manager, the Mayor becomes just another member of the council with absolutely NO SAY in day to day operations. The manager is hired by the council and has strict legal requirements on how he or she manages the city. Alderman and the Mayor are not allowed to interfere with operations, hiring, firing, etc.
I'm being truthful her. Look around and see who is getting bachelor degrees! A fifth grader can get on in liberal arts, etc.. Interior design, etc... I can't believe some people I know even got into college. I know that a bunch of these people were c students at best in hs and got a college degree. Four years of a playground in why they went to college. And they don't pursue their degree when they get it. There are jobs out there, just laziness in finding one. It's called move to where they are!! A college degree does in no way shape or form means a person is smarter then another! In a lot of instances people who have a college degree thinks they are better then a person who has one.
10:35 you clearly show why there can be no progress. The old guard partisan politics are the stubborn reason nothing will ever change. When you could not find a puppet, you brought back the Latin Mass. The Latin Mass came in third and drained all hope for our future.
College standards and expectation of students is no where close to what it was years ago. Colleges want the money no matter what and handing a person a diploma at graduation cost them $1.00! Sounds like city got another bang on another concert. Good job city.
We would not need to wait until the next election for mayor to change the form of government. That referendum could happen as soon as the March 2014 primary.
The college education ramble is ridiculous. You have a bunch trying to validate the lack of education and a bunch trying to validate world experience. Ideally having both is the best scenerio. Changing form of government offers no magical solution to any arguement presented. If you want to be involved many will follow the bills, laws, ideas. If you want to have your ideas in action then be involved. If your sitting on the sidelines you can come up with practical solutions. Pension crises that cost Ill. taxpayers millions each day--whats your solution? Concerts, whats your solution?
Who paid who what????everybody read 2:28's blog. Why no one answered? They are FANTASTIC, LEGITMATE QUESTIONS that all taxpayers should know answers to.
The City Clerk/office informed me that reports for expenses and revenue have not been generated by the treasurer; as of yesterday Ms. Noonan had not reimbursed ticket/venue fee.
I requested a breakdown for parking to include revenue generated for auto and bus because no where was it officially announced the City would be charging for parking at the McGraw concert-ordinance 4989 states the City will be in charge of parking but does NOT state a fee schedule. This dollar figure was also NOT available yesterday. I am also curious who the private land owner is (on airport property) that utilized their land for concert parking as per Exhibit A of ordinance 4989? I was told the City held title/deed to all airport property.
Last year's financial report for fire and employee workers' labor for Kid Rock was DONATED per the Mayor at a cost of $2890.80.
$525.00 of the $2890.80 was DONATED by the Mayor for legal expenses for Jacob and Klein (City TIF attorney-don't even get me started on TIF reform and who really benefits)
1:57 I believe the net donation for the kid rock concert , an event generating between 650,000 and 850,000 in revenue was approximately 12000 of wholesale computer equipment. Estimate of labor donated by the charity is 7,250 at minimum wage.
Net donation from the for profit entity is approximately 5000 from those estimates, with likely half that used as a deduction by the promoter.
That concert more than any other seems suspect, and I cannot believe Kid Rock and his management were pleased with the net donation. Perhaps some one on the blog has contacted them and could share their response?
Kristy, would you think that occupants of city hall have thoughts of doing a lot more laundering than just clothes? Peru is in jeopardy - home rule is only as good as is the honesty of the politicians in power and for some reason this group is becoming more and more suspect. City administration follows only the laws that it cares to. There is also a state law that proclaims that all city employees making over $75K (wages & benefits) annually must be acknowleged publicly and itemized. This law was presented to city officials two years ago and they still have not adhered to it. Personal political war chests and paybacks in green currency are a almost foolproof method of accumulating great wealth without means of convicting proof.
The taxpayers paid wages for fire personnel. Check from city to fire personnel? Or from Liberty fire company ? I have a feeling fire personnel got a check from liberty. Reason this is questionable is being Rodney hasnt blogged anything in regards to this. whats the truth so everybody knows? Taxpayers are being taken advantage of by this administration.
Yes the taxpayers are being taken advantage of by this administration. Peru does not need a $24,000/yr. lobbist in Springfield when it already has two. This is just another tool of the Mayors for self benefit and connections to be made aware of any upcoming positions. It is very doubtful that it would be to his benefit to run for a third term.
According to the disbursements dated 7/31/13 $1,085.54 was paid in wages to the fire department for the concert. This money came from the city's general fund.
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings-- And why the sea is boiling hot-- And whether pigs have wings."
The time is long past petitioning to revoke home rule. Until citizens take legal action of their own, not dependent on attorney general or district attorney, there will be no change and no attention paid to this small little backwater blip on the map, and the clique of thugs and would be big shots that run it. The day that happens, then there will be some sunlight on this little valley.
Till then, we all ask Kristy , Hart, and Lois to fight for us. Some even go so far as to demand that Lois do this or Kristy answer that. I am grateful for them, but a little ashamed I haven't done all I could yet. They should not take all the heat. Time for everybody to man up.
Does this mean that $1,085.54 dated 7/31/13 from the general fund is the one and final payment in wages. Why is the city paying anyone who worked at a public concert? Shouldn't the promoter hire her employees independently and the police department come if called such as for a emergency. Who is paying for the fringe benefits - the concert or the taxpayer? Seems like the city government has supplied the concert with alot of savings in hidden costs.
“{Politicians are} the only creatures that consume without producing. {They do} not give milk, {they do} not lay eggs, {they are} too weak to pull the plough, {they} cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet {they} are lord of all the animals. {They} set them to work, {they} give back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest {they} keep for themselves.”
John Galt So nice to see you back. Your absence has been way too long and your return I pray finds you full of P&V. Although our exchange of opinions at times was controversial I must admit that you have a active mind which stimulates others. A task not easily accomplished in the lethargical village known as Peru. The Bible claims that Noah was the patriach commanded by God to build the Ark upon which he took two of each animal, one of each gender. In your infinite wisdom John Galt could you please explain how we have ended up with the political animal out of this limited start. I do know that Peru has 40 days and 40 nights of rain every other year which is phased as the 100 year rain but is the reason there is something in the water, or did Noah become confused and put one pair of animals on the Ark of the same gender and family? Welcome back and looking forward to exchanging swords instead of gnashing of teeth.
A resolution was submitted recommending the appointment Michael A. Hocking to serve as members on the LaSalle County Public Aid Committee Motion by Mr. Oscepinski to approve the resolution, second by Mr. Borchsenius. Voice vote; 27 ayes and 2 absent. Motion carried. SEE RECORD BOOK 200, PG 246
Looks like democrats are organizing again placing their people in correct positions look out next 4 years!!!
Another full week has gone by and still no publication of payment from the Tim McGraw cncert. How many days have passed beyond the legal deadline of 14? Why is this administrtion being alowed to break another law? Just as important is why? Is their a possibility that they have all their ducks in line but for some reason do not want to publish it? Possibly intermingling Home Rule and the general fund to compensate for _________? The end result becomes Home Cooking, WINK, WINK!
On August 8 a FOIA request was submitted for "a copy of the paperwork/receipt/ or computer print out for deposit of cash to airport fund for monies received/generated for City controlled parking for the McGraw concert".
This information should be readily available since the Treasurer would have recorded the cash received and deposited the cash immediately.
If the city collected the money surely someone at city hall knows how much. If the information was FOIA'd why the big secret? I don't understand. I thought the mayor campaigned on an open and honest government!
Anon 11:30 I thought, I think, Maybe, I wish, If I ! I believe we were on the same fast boat to Springfield and I got off a long time ago. $24,000 more for personal gain.
Why not give everyone a opportunity to express their general feeling of what they believe the City of Peru has gained positively from the airport concerts. Also to be fair to everyone would those who think that the airport concerts have had a negative effect on Peru please express your opinion. Do you think that the concerts should be held on a public facility such as the airport or should they be held on a private site? Do you believe that public officials should be involved in a private sponsored venue? Do you want the concerts to hire their own security in the future or do you believe the taxpayers should continue to pay for the concerts security even though it is a private business. Did you feel that it was right for Perus Mayor to forgive the concert promoter $25K which was owed to the city and why?
FOIA ! HARLS DIFF. ' freedom of information as i decide to let it out " Just like camers in meeting , only as he says to post ! Why can't we just throw the union bum out ? Sombody tell me why not ?
6:58 because he is the duly elected mayor and only a few people in this town care about what is going on. The power brokers in Peru have counted on the cattle for many many years.
5:27 It is not the governments job to hold concerts,PERIOD That job is for concert promoters, on their own property. and 8:40 do not forget this council was in favor of the the concerts.
Everyone should read "Local Governments split on hiring lobbyists" in the Springfield State Journal Register today. There is a mention of Peru's new hired man.
I read the article in the SJ-R and I am still of the opinion that politicians are paid very well to represent us in Springfield and ALL lobbyists should be outlawed and ALL cash contributions to ALL politicians should be outlawed. What ever happened to people running for office on their own merits and capabilties. Just more B-S and $$$$ for already crooked polticians. Political nonsense,
11:45. Very few concert promoters hold concerts on their own property. To hold a concert of this size safely and legally, you need to use fairgrounds or stadiums.
There are too many legal issues when someone holds an event like this on private property. These are not family reunions or bonfires. Promoters spend too much of their time in court or paying legal fees as it is.
Usage of an airport is very unique, and this one is horribly suited for mass gatherings but all the experts and politicians seem very happy with it.
The stage and event management company would qualify as very experienced in stage management issues. I would have no quarrel with them running a show.
But I believe the venue safety has been compromised repeatedly over the series of concerts, and continues to be. But in the words of our leaders, the promoter runs a tight ship, so we all just sit back and bask in the notoriety gained. What a great thing to be famous for.
Lois there is one expert and she stands out far above all. She is presently giving Peru politicians free lessons on promoting at no expense to them since like everything else a politician screws up the taxpayer pays for it.
TEST didn't make a donation..they played golf with a lot of other businesses in the area..wait..no one is allowed to have fun while working for Peru. Do you think they will bill the city for the $550???
Any references made to a golf outing were made to the Harl Special Event Outing where donations are made to attend. Also heard the union kicked in to buy some of the tickets for some of the people. Did I hear right?
6:27 how did you HEAR that. Totally unsubstantiated rumor rumor does not help a logical debate on these concerts.
If it is true that donations will not be coming, this presentation that the concerts or a benefit concert, charity concert, and any marketing to that effect must cease.
The artists must know and agree before hand that they are playing first and foremost to raise money for a cause, and be willing to donate whatever is necessary. The cause money must be drawn off the top from each ticket sold and every item sold at the concert. Then the contractors would get paid based on what is left.
Anon 7:24 Where have you obtained your info on the artists and willingness to donate, cause money and conractors pay? How can your info be verified by a outside source? Concerts with sponsors donating $10K, $50 - $73 ticket sales, $4/slice of pizza, $7/beer, $20 punch bowls, $4/water bottles would account for more profit than $25,000 which seems to be the average donation until recently, recently it has been alot less.
7:24 I did not OBTAIN that info. I said that these things SHOULD happen IF this lack of donation continues and everyone wants to continue calling them benefit or charity concerts.
Any information I post about concerts is obtained from my research with other promoters, venues, and legal counsel. When throwing a benefit concert, getting the artists support for the cause, and negotiating preferred terms should be the first step, as they are the largest fixed cost. Giving a fixed amount off the top, say 5 bucks a ticket, like most for profit fundraisers do, is another way to go. Then you might have a little more trouble drumming up volunteers to help, but maybe not.
I do have a problem with people coming on the blog and saying THEY heard something negative about the concerts and not saying where they heard it. It may be true, but just contributes more to the argument that the blog just posts rumor.
You made a very good point after you got out your inane questions to me. I agree with what you said. Are you certain all sponsors, including connecting point had to give 10 k?
Was on plank road on Sunday and fireman were asking for donations at the four corners of plank and shooting park road. Didn't see any alderman donating their time to cleft donations. My wife and I didn't donate to them due to the fact of discrepancies of money being put into what account and withdrawn from account to be given to whatever like the donation that was intended for OP. something was shady about that deal. Also, Liberty Fire has not viven us taxpayers answers to our questions in regards to where donation monies go. Strange also. Not donating what so ever to nothing anymore. Peru has become a joke.
74 comments:
The City has not been reimbursed for the Tim McGraw per ticket facility charge per FOIA request today; which is a violation of clause 21 of ordinance 4989 requiring payment within 14 days after the event. Financial information rewarding parking was also not available for the McGraw concert at this time. Kristy
What would be so hard about knowing hDw many tickets were sold? Didn't the concert sponsor keep track of that and why wouldn't the city know by now how much they collected parking cars? Sounds a little strange to me. If Ms. Noonan doesn't know how many tickets she sold how did she know that she had $5000 to donate to the "Cause"?
Thank you Mr. Taxpayer of Peru for all the money you gave to the concert! Suckers!
IT'S THE MAYOR AND THE ALDERMAN WHO ARE TO BLAME FOR LACK OF LEADERSHIP. THEY RUN FOR OFFICE TO SUPPOSEDLY REPRESENT THE TAXPAYERS AND PEOPLE OF PERU, IN WHICH HAVE BEEN LITERALLY RIPPED OFF BY CONCERT VENUES! WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER THE MAIN PERFORMER TAKES STAGE A COUNT OF HOW MANY PEOPLE PAID(ticket count) THE CONCERT PROMOTOR OR MY FIFTH GRADE CHILD WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT NUMBER. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, ADD TO THE JOKE BOOK. Always a even number of attendees with 00 as the last two.
Why hasn't anybody answered questions in regards to who paid police and firemen for concerts????! The question that caught my attention was in regards to Liberty Fire Company paying fireman out of libertys account. That's a donation organization from taxpayers. If anybody has donated to liberty, would you want your donation paying fireman? For someone else's personal gain. Could blogger be on to something? I read on another blog title and the blogger mentioned that maybe Alderman Perez may answer. People need to wake up and get their morning cup of joe and demand more answers from this administration.
I hate everything...Its so much more fun to point fingers and blame everyone and tell them what they do wrong with my highly important high school diploma!
Apparently the City does not have he figures readily available for parking either per a FOIA request from the McGraw concert over a month ago.
Did the City make any money? Recall Mr. Mlacnik of the IL Dept of Aeronautics said in an email 2/27/13 and I quote "total revenues from all events could reasonably be expected to exceed $67,500 by my estimation" (for 3 concerts).
Let me be the first to call BULLSHIT Mr. Mlacnik.
Kristy
3:57 Perhaps Mr Mlacknik was referring to what he was planning on receiving personally from the concets?
Getterdone.
3:03 Cant you guys come up with something other than saying the blog posters hate everything? There has never been one post of anything factual from the pro concert folks that answered a single accusation or question.
I still recall the post last year when Kristy stated documented fact, and someone posted the famous response like this "she is lying. I cannot tell you how I know this, but she is lying"
The anti concert crowd gets accused of crying conspiracy. But the pro concert crowd seems to be guarding a deep conspiracy, some great and noble cause that must operate in secrecy and with full support
For the charity.
They cannot say how this is , but it is true. Like the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Asking questions is hating and negative.
Bs may not be a strong enough call out fir these clowns.
PERU TAXPAYER
CHECK HARLS WAR CHEST AMOUNT !!! MAYBE ANSWERS THEIR ? WHO PAID FOR SPOTLIGHTS AT NORTH PEORIA AND UP ON PLANK ROAD ? HMMMM JUST A QUESTION .
Artists sign contracts that have a guaranteed minimum to perform. They also generally take a high percentage of ticket sales and sometimes a percentage of concessions. So they are covered if the sales are not high enough, and if the sales percent exceed that minimum, they get the agreed per cent of ticket sales.
Long story short, their management usually knows accurately and quickly what the total sales were. There is no rational reason that the concert promoter should not be able to quickly pay the facility fee.
My guess is that the promoter is trying to delay payment or have it be forgiven claiming the concert lost money, or say the city can take it from future concerts that do make money. Only a guess, but like I said, the check to Tug probably went out. Why not the City of Peru?
When the man at the top foes not care about laws when these concerts are concerned, bad things happen.
3:03 PM
Does it make you feel good to criticize the amount of education anyone has. Many who could not afford to attend a place of higher learning certainly have more sense than you do. Many of the bloggers do have many years of education beyond that snickered at H.S. diploma
It doesn't matter to the rest of us, at least I hope not.
Many times we have heard of someone who dropped out of college or even H.S. and became a millionaire or a well known celebrity.
Glad you didn't sign your name because I don't want to know who you are.
The city knows all the concert figures, they just aren't sharing it with the public. I know this for fact. How can we get them to make the figures public?
It’s becoming more and more apparent that Peru needs to change its form of government. Dixon will be doing it. They will be putting the managerial form of government to a vote in the next election. The managerial form gives executive power to a city manager by state law to run the day-to-day operations of the city. The City Council can put the question on the ballot. The question can also be put on the ballot with a petition signed by 10 percent of the number of people who voted in the last mayoral election.
5:22 AM
I will sign.
3,208 votes where cast in the Mayoral Election. The issue to change the government to managerial can be put on the ballot with 321 signatures. Somebody figure out how to do this and I will circulate a petition.
You have a managerial form of government when you elect a Mayor.
You need to be careful about this. If this issue gets on the ballot and becomes another fraction of the vote, drawing away from a competent challlenger to Harl, and everyone who is supporting a candidate votes against it, it will be a big fail.
Dixon experienced a total no confidence in government. I don't know if they switched by petition, or by the action of the council.
Peru clearly does not have a majority in favor of Harl, but it is a divided and partisan electorate. I don't know the number of registered voters, but that turn out seems respectable based on total population. Harl will stay in power until the old guard fades and throws support behind a single challenger, or the council moves to allow run offs without majority.
That would be the petition I would sign. Run offs without majority, or support a mayoral candidate who publicly advocates city manager style government.
Lois, you have enough nerve. Please ask at the next council meeting what the figures are from the McGraw concert.
I do not wish to demean any step of formal education which indicates how many years you have attended school to learn to appreciate the different aspects of life. But I also wish to emphasize that informal education is the true educator of ones entire life. Lifes experiences are the educators and prepartories of the future situations we encounter, As our mistakes, as well as our successes, are some of our greatest teachers.
Because a person has achieved the status of going to 8 years of education or 12 years or beyond does not make them any more intelligent than the person who hasn't. It simply means that they have accumulated a longer time frame of formal education.
Always remember that anyone can teach you something , that there should not be a day that you don't learn something new and never, never stop learning. There is mental passing as well as physical death - it is up to you as a individual that the latter comes first.
Anon 9:53 You state that "Harl will stay in power until the old guard fades and throws support behind a single chalanger, or the council moves to allow run offs without majority".
The old guard made a strong effort to seek out a willing candidate but no one choose to accept their support. Instead they decided to run independently of the past administrations strength. This was a huge political mistake which resulted in a losing three way race allowing the incumbent to win with 35% of the vote and the runnerup to accumulate 26% and the 3d place to get 25% with the fourth candidate obtaining 12%.
The election of 2013 should be a education to all who would like to see a REAL CHANGE In the election of 2017. The Mayors, City Clerks, and Treasurers races should all be limited to a two candidate race, otherwise Peru may go on endlessly being goverened within the same conditions.
;
Anon 9:14 Yes we have a managerial form of government when we elect a Mayor but this does not assure us of having a manager or more important a leader when we elect a Mayor.
Everyone please read the Illinois Municipal Code - it explains the types of municipal governments we can have. We currently have a Mayor and Council. If we switch to a Council Manager, the Mayor becomes just another member of the council with absolutely NO SAY in day to day operations. The manager is hired by the council and has strict legal requirements on how he or she manages the city. Alderman and the Mayor are not allowed to interfere with operations, hiring, firing, etc.
I'm being truthful her. Look around and see who is getting bachelor degrees! A fifth grader can get on in liberal arts, etc.. Interior design, etc... I can't believe some people I know even got into college. I know that a bunch of these people were c students at best in hs and got a college degree. Four years of a playground in why they went to college. And they don't pursue their degree when they get it. There are jobs out there, just laziness in finding one. It's called move to where they are!! A college degree does in no way shape or form means a person is smarter then another! In a lot of instances people who have a college degree thinks they are better then a person who has one.
10:35 you clearly show why there can be no progress. The old guard partisan politics are the stubborn reason nothing will ever change. When you could not find a puppet, you brought back the Latin Mass. The Latin Mass came in third and drained all hope for our future.
There is no hope for this city.
College standards and expectation of students is no where close to what it was years ago. Colleges want the money no matter what and handing a person a diploma at graduation cost them $1.00! Sounds like city got another bang on another concert. Good job city.
We would not need to wait until the next election for mayor to change the form of government. That referendum could happen as soon as the March 2014 primary.
The college education ramble is ridiculous. You have a bunch trying to validate the lack of education and a bunch trying to validate world experience. Ideally having both is the best scenerio. Changing form of government offers no magical solution to any arguement presented. If you want to be involved many will follow the bills, laws, ideas. If you want to have your ideas in action then be involved. If your sitting on the sidelines you can come up with practical solutions. Pension crises that cost Ill. taxpayers millions each day--whats your solution? Concerts, whats your solution?
Who paid who what????everybody read 2:28's blog. Why no one answered? They are FANTASTIC, LEGITMATE QUESTIONS that all taxpayers should know answers to.
The City Clerk/office informed me that reports for expenses and revenue have not been generated by the treasurer; as of yesterday Ms. Noonan had not reimbursed ticket/venue fee.
I requested a breakdown for parking to include revenue generated for auto and bus because no where was it officially announced the City would be charging for parking at the McGraw concert-ordinance 4989 states the City will be in charge of parking but does NOT state a fee schedule. This dollar figure was also NOT available yesterday. I am also curious who the private land owner is (on airport property) that utilized their land for concert parking as per Exhibit A of ordinance 4989? I was told the City held title/deed to all airport property.
Last year's financial report for fire and employee workers' labor for Kid Rock was DONATED per the Mayor at a cost of $2890.80.
Kristy
$525.00 of the $2890.80 was DONATED by the Mayor for legal expenses for Jacob and Klein (City TIF attorney-don't even get me started on TIF reform and who really benefits)
...all on the back of YOU the taxpayer.
Kristy
1:57 I believe the net donation for the kid rock concert , an event generating between 650,000 and 850,000 in revenue was approximately 12000 of wholesale computer equipment. Estimate of labor donated by the charity is 7,250 at minimum wage.
Net donation from the for profit entity is approximately 5000 from those estimates, with likely half that used as a deduction by the promoter.
That concert more than any other seems suspect, and I cannot believe Kid Rock and his management were pleased with the net donation. Perhaps some one on the blog has contacted them and could share their response?
Anyone know when/where/if the Spirit Halloween Superstore is coming to Peru?
Kristy, would you think that occupants of city hall have thoughts of doing a lot more laundering than just clothes? Peru is in jeopardy - home rule is only as good as is the honesty of the politicians in power and for some reason this group is becoming more and more suspect.
City administration follows only the laws that it cares to. There is also a state law that proclaims that all city employees making over $75K (wages & benefits) annually must be acknowleged publicly and itemized. This law was presented to city officials two years ago and they still have not adhered to it. Personal political war chests and paybacks in green currency are a almost foolproof method of accumulating great wealth without means of convicting proof.
The taxpayers paid wages for fire personnel. Check from city to fire personnel? Or from Liberty fire company ? I have a feeling fire personnel got a check from liberty. Reason this is questionable is being Rodney hasnt blogged anything in regards to this. whats the truth so everybody knows? Taxpayers are being taken advantage of by this administration.
Yes the taxpayers are being taken advantage of by this administration. Peru does not need a $24,000/yr. lobbist in Springfield when it already has two. This is just another tool of the Mayors for self benefit and connections to be made aware of any upcoming positions. It is very doubtful that it would be to his benefit to run for a third term.
4:33
Perhaps it is time to petition to revoke Peru's home rule status...
Kristy
According to the disbursements dated 7/31/13 $1,085.54 was paid in wages to the fire department for the concert. This money came from the city's general fund.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
The time is long past petitioning to revoke home rule. Until citizens take legal action of their own, not dependent on attorney general or district attorney, there will be no change and no attention paid to this small little backwater blip on the map, and the clique of thugs and would be big shots that run it. The day that happens, then there will be some sunlight on this little valley.
Till then, we all ask Kristy , Hart, and Lois to fight for us. Some even go so far as to demand that Lois do this or Kristy answer that. I am grateful for them, but a little ashamed I haven't done all I could yet. They should not take all the heat. Time for everybody to man up.
everything comes from the laundering fund... I mean general fund.
Does this mean that $1,085.54 dated 7/31/13 from the general fund is the one and final payment in wages. Why is the city paying anyone who worked at a public concert? Shouldn't the promoter hire her employees independently and the police department come if called such as for a emergency. Who is paying for the fringe benefits - the concert or the taxpayer? Seems like the city government has supplied the concert with alot of savings in hidden costs.
I took a little liberty from George Orwell;
“{Politicians are} the only creatures that consume without producing. {They do} not give milk, {they do} not lay eggs, {they are} too weak to pull the plough, {they} cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet {they} are lord of all the animals. {They} set them to work, {they} give back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest {they} keep for themselves.”
Maybe the city can fix Pulaski street with the money they take it
John Galt
So nice to see you back. Your absence has been way too long and your return I pray finds you full of P&V. Although our exchange of opinions at times was controversial I must admit that you have a active mind which stimulates others. A task not easily accomplished in the lethargical village known as Peru.
The Bible claims that Noah was the patriach commanded by God to build the Ark upon which he took two of each animal, one of each gender. In your infinite wisdom John Galt could you please explain how we have ended up with the political animal out of this limited start. I do know that Peru has 40 days and 40 nights of rain every other year which is phased as the 100 year rain but is the reason there is something in the water, or did Noah become confused and put one pair of animals on the Ark of the same gender and family?
Welcome back and looking forward to exchanging swords instead of gnashing of teeth.
A resolution was submitted recommending the appointment Michael A. Hocking to serve as members on the LaSalle County Public Aid Committee
Motion by Mr. Oscepinski to approve the resolution, second by Mr. Borchsenius. Voice vote; 27 ayes and 2 absent. Motion carried.
SEE RECORD BOOK 200, PG 246
Looks like democrats are organizing again placing their people in correct positions look out next 4 years!!!
Peru needs more Cowbell!
Another full week has gone by and still no publication of payment from the Tim McGraw cncert. How many days have passed beyond the legal deadline of 14? Why is this administrtion being alowed to break another law? Just as important is why?
Is their a possibility that they have all their ducks in line but for some reason do not want to publish it? Possibly intermingling Home Rule and the general fund to compensate for _________? The end result becomes Home Cooking, WINK, WINK!
Peru should not be allowed to add any more TIF'S unless the people vote on the issue.
7:16 AM
Not a SNL follower so I had to check this one out before I posted your comment. Maybe we have too much already.
On August 8 a FOIA request was submitted for "a copy of the paperwork/receipt/ or computer print out for deposit of cash to airport fund for monies received/generated for City controlled parking for the McGraw concert".
This information should be readily available since the Treasurer would have recorded the cash received and deposited the cash immediately.
Kristy
Ya man! Definately more cow-bell!
If the city collected the money surely someone at city hall knows how much. If the information was FOIA'd why the big secret? I don't understand. I thought the mayor campaigned on an open and honest government!
Anon 11:30 I thought, I think, Maybe, I wish, If I ! I believe we were on the same fast boat to Springfield and I got off a long time ago. $24,000 more for personal gain.
Why not give everyone a opportunity to express their general feeling of what they believe the City of Peru has gained positively from the airport concerts.
Also to be fair to everyone would those who think that the airport concerts have had a negative effect on Peru please express your opinion.
Do you think that the concerts should be held on a public facility such as the airport or should they be held on a private site?
Do you believe that public officials should be involved in a private sponsored venue?
Do you want the concerts to hire their own security in the future or do you believe the taxpayers should continue to pay for the concerts security even though it is a private business.
Did you feel that it was right for Perus Mayor to forgive the concert promoter $25K which was owed to the city and why?
If I remember correctly, not all fireman are members of liberty. Some got out but are still fireman for the city.
If the city doesn't count cars as they come in, they're a bigger bunch of morons than we give them credit for .
FOIA ! HARLS DIFF. ' freedom of information as i decide to let it out " Just like camers in meeting , only as he says to post !
Why can't we just throw the union bum out ? Sombody tell me why not ?
6:58 because he is the duly elected mayor and only a few people in this town care about what is going on. The power brokers in Peru have counted on the cattle for many many years.
12:03 Don't forget that council voted in favor of the lobbyist. Remember this come election time.
5:27 It is not the governments job to hold concerts,PERIOD That job is for concert promoters, on their own property. and 8:40 do not forget this council was in favor of the the concerts.
Everyone should read "Local Governments split on hiring lobbyists" in the Springfield State Journal Register today. There is a mention of Peru's new hired man.
I read the article in the SJ-R and I am still of the opinion that politicians are paid very well to represent us in Springfield and ALL lobbyists should be outlawed and ALL cash contributions to ALL politicians should be outlawed. What ever happened to people running for office on their own merits and capabilties. Just more B-S and $$$$ for already crooked polticians. Political nonsense,
I see TEST made a donation of $550 to the great ones campaign I bet they hope they bought another year of no bidding
11:45. Very few concert promoters hold concerts on their own property. To hold a concert of this size safely and legally, you need to use fairgrounds or stadiums.
There are too many legal issues when someone holds an event like this on private property. These are not family reunions or bonfires. Promoters spend too much of their time in court or paying legal fees as it is.
Usage of an airport is very unique, and this one is horribly suited for mass gatherings but all the experts and politicians seem very happy with it.
11:18 AM
As far as I know there have been NO experts involved in the concert setups, certainly not here in Peru.
3:33 Lois
The stage and event management company would qualify as very experienced in stage management issues. I would have no quarrel with them running a show.
But I believe the venue safety has been compromised repeatedly over the series of concerts, and continues to be. But in the words of our leaders, the promoter runs a tight ship, so we all just sit back and bask in the notoriety gained. What a great thing to be famous for.
Lois there is one expert and she stands out far above all. She is presently giving Peru politicians free lessons on promoting at no expense to them since like everything else a politician screws up the taxpayer pays for it.
10.51
TEST didn't make a donation..they played golf with a lot of other businesses in the area..wait..no one is allowed to have fun while working for Peru. Do you think they will bill the city for the $550???
9:00PM
Any references made to a golf outing were made to the Harl Special Event Outing where donations are made to attend. Also heard the union kicked in to buy some of the tickets for some of the people. Did I hear right?
I heard today no donation to city little leagues and not paying the city..something smells in the Illinois Valley
And it is not James Hardie 6:27.
6:27 how did you HEAR that. Totally unsubstantiated rumor rumor does not help a logical debate on these concerts.
If it is true that donations will not be coming, this presentation that the concerts or a benefit concert, charity concert, and any marketing to that effect must cease.
The artists must know and agree before hand that they are playing first and foremost to raise money for a cause, and be willing to donate whatever is necessary. The cause money must be drawn off the top from each ticket sold and every item sold at the concert. Then the contractors would get paid based on what is left.
Anon 7:24 Where have you obtained your info on the artists and willingness to donate, cause money and conractors pay? How can your info be verified by a outside source?
Concerts with sponsors donating $10K, $50 - $73 ticket sales, $4/slice of pizza, $7/beer, $20 punch bowls, $4/water bottles would account for more profit than $25,000 which seems to be the average donation until recently, recently it has been alot less.
7:24 I did not OBTAIN that info. I said that these things SHOULD happen IF this lack of donation continues and everyone wants to continue calling them benefit or charity concerts.
Any information I post about concerts is obtained from my research with other promoters, venues, and legal counsel. When throwing a benefit concert, getting the artists support for the cause, and negotiating preferred terms should be the first step, as they are the largest fixed cost. Giving a fixed amount off the top, say 5 bucks a ticket, like most for profit fundraisers do, is another way to go. Then you might have a little more trouble drumming up volunteers to help, but maybe not.
I do have a problem with people coming on the blog and saying THEY heard something negative about the concerts and not saying where they heard it. It may be true, but just contributes more to the argument that the blog just posts rumor.
You made a very good point after you got out your inane questions to me. I agree with what you said. Are you certain all sponsors, including connecting point had to give 10 k?
Was on plank road on Sunday and fireman were asking for donations at the four corners of plank and shooting park road. Didn't see any alderman donating their time to cleft donations. My wife and I didn't donate to them due to the fact of discrepancies of money being put into what account and withdrawn from account to be given to whatever like the donation that was intended for OP. something was shady about that deal. Also, Liberty Fire has not viven us taxpayers answers to our questions in regards to where donation monies go. Strange also. Not donating what so ever to nothing anymore. Peru has become a joke.
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