The most recent posting of minutes on the Public Works Committee have a wealth of information in them. You will also find the name of Sean Mikos consistently on them and I assure you that never did I see the name of former SPW Bleck written up regarding what was taking place in the department as these minutes have done for his successor. Sean Mikos' ability to handle the job he was hired for is very apparent and it also emphasizes the loss that has occurred when he left.
During this most recent winter snowfall, I do believe the Public Works department under the direction of Police Chief Bernabei and Fire Chief King did a very good job of getting the snow plowed and making our streets driveable. But I also realize after reading the above mentioned minutes that it is imperative that we find another person of the abilities of our recently resigned City Engineer/SPW very quickly. It is sad that a few people within the current administration were not able to act in a professional manner with integrity and honesty that brought us to the point we are currently positioned in. We need administrators and not politicians.
48 comments:
Sean Mikos said that the current street sweeper is 17 years old. He said that it needs $10,000 - $15,000 worth of repairs to the box. He told the committee that a new one would cost approximately $300,000. Chairman Waldorf said purchasing a vactor truck and hiring two people to be dedicated to its operation would be a tremendous asset to the City.
Waldorf has wanted this for years, a new vactor truck and 2 new employees. Waldorf get real you can't handle the employees you have now!!!
Or even be treated with manners and not a bully mentality. Sean said he was "threatened one too many times". I wonder who did the threatening? I can only guess it's the guy in charge.
I see that the legitimacy of "Concerts for Votes" was being questioned due to potential hanger construction at the airport. I hope our entertainment focused city fathers consider this sooner rather than later since we are "burning money" if they don't allow planting on the Harl Parking lot. Rock the Vote!
Read these minutes citizens of Peru. You can learn a lot about what is going on in your town. I can't believe we would even consider the so called "concerts for a cause". Don't you recall that the last one failed and all the volunteers that worked hard hoping their organization would benefit left with empty pockets.
When they use the term "Vactor Truck" does anybody know what they are talking about? Vactor Manufacturing makes many products that suck stuff up and spray water- which one is Waldorf talking about? Why not get the basic model which costs less. Or even a used one. I've seen Vactor 2100's on line for about $100K
Continuing from my previous post. Saying "Vactor Truck" is like saying "Ford Truck."
why do we have to hire 2 new people to run a truck? aren't any of our current employees qualified to do so?
I'm sure if this would be to happen, it would someone's buddies who would get hired. This city isn't being built on rock and roll, being built on the buddy system.
Everyone has heard the public works department representatives, the public works aldermen committee, and its SPW before Sean Mikos that all have come to the conclusion that they don't know if they are plowing snow or dog s**t.
How would a person quit a position in less than 5 full months with a two week notice and still have the respect of the citizens of the town? The answer is very simple to reach. The young man was a "blue chipper" who stood so far above most of those he had to deal with that the real question is why he accepted the Peru SPW/Civil Engineer position not why he left it. How many years ago did the unaccepted city attorney of Peru who left because CERTAIN people in town didn't like him? I believe his name was Pershing and he went on to become the Attorney General for the entire
State of Michigan. Similar to Shawn he just didn't fit into "Peru Politics".
Vactor has a production plant in Streator, Illinois and in speaking to their representation would likely know where a very good used Vactor could be obtained. Also the past building Inspector name of John and also a gentleman who lives on the East side name of Alex and was a supervisor with with IDOT could probably put the city in touch with many good used Vactor Street sweepers or comparable manufacturers for a couple of hundred thousand dollars less. Mike Hart brother in law of Alex would be another good source since he worked for IDOT as a long term employee also.
There is a sales ground as you drive by Morris,Il on Interstate 80
which has used equipment also.
As for hiring two more employees to operate these vehicles, whoever came up with this idea please get off my back I am paying enough taxes presently and getting very little back for it. The city has enough manpower now it is time for them to learn how to use it properly. I'll never forget Mayor Baker telling a present alderman who came up with a few of his ideas and expressed them at a council meeting. Mayor Baker looked down the line and said "I'm all for you, where are you going to get the money"? I would think that Alderman Ferrari remembers it also.
Anon 10:51 Peru always has to hire in pairs so that the one driving has a passenger who makes sure that the driver doesn't get lost. This has gone on for so long that very few recognize how wrong it is. When city representation takes care of all their sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, neighbors and job acquaintances, in- laws and outlaws the number of employed goes up pretty fast. Remember the times when Peru had less summer help with a swimming pool than it does without a swimming pool. If people would know what a City Manager would save them financially they would be recruiting one themselves.
I hope they advertise the Sewer Sucker Operator job. I just might apply for it.
Why can't the catch basin / storm sewer clean out be outsourced to a private contractor?
They should hire LaSalle to do the vactor work. It would be a start for both cities to start working together. Also if LaSalle's engineer is retiring maybe they could hire Sean.
After his experience in Peru I doubt if he will want to work around this area again.
everyone was so concerned about the missing dump truck (and rightfully so), but what about the missing CRANE that was across the river by that manmade pond???? Where did that go?? the thing had to weigh 50 tons.
The cities own Vactor truck would be a big asset. With what we've paid in one year to Michelini to do it we could've bought 2 of them ! Does anyone see Illinois valley excavation on the disbursements sheet? You'll probably pass out when u see what we pay him! We once figured an average rate of $1000 an hour for his service . Unbelievable? Its true
Figure it out and you will see for yourself!
Spring valley has a truck and does their own. So does LaSalle! Why doesn't peru you ask, because we like to take care of our buddies! Crappy political crap!
Just like did anyone notice that michelini has those telephone pole Christmas decorations on the poles in front of his house on plank road? Plank road!! And the city pays for the electric fees on them. I wish I could have those in front of my house for free!
Oh and plus he's on the Parks board and guess where we buy our porta potties from?? His company!!
Conflict of interest!
Peru is the town of No Ethics!
Investigation Report is out. To certain people anyway. But the jist of it is Harl can authorize "ghost" hours to compensate as he feels just! The council and HR along with Superintendent Bleck knew of the "ghost" hours and were okay with it . This was done in this way to bypass the pay freeze. Public works committee came up with this idea and offered it to the mayor to compensate employee(s) and Superintendents while in the pay freeze. The mayor okayed it.
So if what you are saying is true (9:14) the headline in the paper should read: City of Peru Pay Freeze was a Lie. Or, Mayor OK's Ghost Time to Circumvent Pay Freeze Ordinance and Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Just because we are paying this person an exurbanite amount to perform the sewer cleaning services does not mean owning a "Vactor Truck" makes sense. Has the service been legally bid out? Why are we tied to one contractor? I bet it can be done less expensively through another contractor and be less than the cost of a new piece of machinery (and apparently two specialized employees (joke)).
9:14 Are you saying that the mayor, the superintendent, the HR rep, and our council were fully aware of this situation? If true, why was taxpayer money used to hire a judge and investigate when apparently there was nothing to investigate? So, apparently the "pay freeze" only applied to certain employees and not all. Is this true? Were we, the taxpayers, once again duped and our money thrown away?
9:02
Wow, spouting alot of info you know nothing about. Nothing new for this site.
Something I learned a long time a ago is if someone tells you "it's true", it's usually a LIE.
Have a hard time believing any one would be able to pass off a bill at $1000.00 per hour. Hell even " our city Savior Rodney " wouldn't allow that to happen. But apparently you followed them around when they were working with a stop watch, then divided the bill by what your watch says.
Great work! haha
I asked Mrs. Michelini this year where she got those trees, they bought them off the CSO as they were not working. They installed new lites and made brackets to hang them on the poles. And if you care to take a ride up there and look, you will see they are plugged into extension cords, not the city power lines.
You people are pathetic.
As usual this site is once again a great source of comedy for me.
Freido
9:14 Are you from City Hall and have knowledge? Or just another "want to be" campaign manager interviewing for the next campaign?
10:15 your getting duped by the 9:14 POST.
The mayor seems to have all different ways to find a way to Manipulate the system. What's the benefit package cost the city for each full-time employee? Never have I heard this discussed. To Mayor Harl: "THE CURRENCY OF GREAT LEADERSHIP IS TRANSPARENCY AND TRUTH." Howard Schultz/CEO of Starbucks quoted this.
unfortunately, some people think the purpose of government is to make themselves and their friends rich.
@10:31
You and Michelini are full of crap. Why wouldn't the CSO go to Menards and spend $5 for a
new string of lights and fix them themselves? Donated money being mismanaged again! Maybe others would've like the opportunity to make an offer on them. And if you look at the lights over the intersection in town you'll see those run off an extension cord too. Like the other guy said typical peru politic bull!
6:29 PM
I posted your comment with some misgivings as I don't like to get involved with names even those who are involved with the city as they are not elected officials. I did because the person you replied to was rude and made statements that were out of order. I hope your post evens it out and that is the end of the conversation as there is probably a grain of truth in each.
Lois
Truth? Really?
This blog has never been about truth, only advancing your political candidates or agenda.
Truth?
Now that is comedy.
Thank you for the hearty laugh!
Freido
I hear the Kmart building is flooding. City workers report water flowing out of the doors. This is not a new problem and the water should have been shut off many days ago. Will the owner pay the bill?
Peru, the city of creativity, a city which used creative financing in its sale of the Mirror Building, creative demolition of the power plant,creator of the dump truck episode, big time user of kicking the can down the road and now the creator of the ghost payroll.
These are recent examples of creativity conducted in Peru there are many more that have transpired in the last five years.
6:01 PM
Just before I read your boastful rude comment, I had read an opinion in the News Tribune. It was making reference to FB comments but could just as well refer to any blogging comments. I suggest you find the paper and read this:
Column: In defense of the marketplace of ideas
Rachel Stella
NT Reporter
If you don't find it on the online version easily, google the title. Are you aware of how arrogant you sound? Not a good quality in any person but fairly common in government personnel.
Do we have to wait until the next council meeting to see a copy of the pay roll scandal report?
Numbers for sure will be manipulated to make it look good. But, can't outsmart some people. Just like income tax returns, might say one thing with numbers,
but not a accurate or honest return.
How often does the public works committee meet, as I do not see a meeting in October?
10:27 will we even see or hear about it then?
11:28 I don't think that the public works committee has a set schedule for their meetings. I believe they usually announce their next meeting at a council meeting so if you don't attend those you may miss their next meeting.
FREIDO! You show a vast knowledge about what others do not know, also about truth and time study. I must ask you, do you at times believe that you are in a world of your own separated from all others? You state "you people are pathetic" therefore I request your opinion of who are "you people"? Are you not one of us I hope you are not some other form of life sent here from far, far away.
I am so glad that this site is a great source of comedy for you as this is giving you something to build upon. Do you realize that your problems appear to be separating the truth from lies and others political candidates or agenda. Possibly it would be best to start a agenda of your own and to become a political candidate or a political incumbent if you are not already.
Freido, you must know that someone who laughs at all others is often known as the Village Idiot. From your comments I would judge you to be a appointed and than elected city official or a "Ambassador" but certainly not the ADS. Because of lack of knowledge to be able to pin point who you are exactly I'll title and address
you as Freido the Village Idiot (FVI). All others who you have laughed at may do the same and a pleasant trip back to wherever you have come from.
A of DS here. I did want to weigh in on the Freido controversy. I am not certain, but he may in truth not be one of us.
I am not completely up to speed on fantasy literature, but from my recollection of his name, he may in fact be a hobbit.
As many you may have noted, his comments seem to show a little short person syndrome. he'd be a terrible deer spotter. Couldn't see over the bushes.
That's Hobbit with a capital H Mr. Deer Spotter. Everyone is always disrespecting the Hobbits.... ;)
Come to think of it... that Waldorf guy sort of reminds me of Gollum.
"My precious dump truck. I must hides my precious dump truck to keep the nasty shovel holders aways from it... precious..."
1:08 I think your on to something when it comes to Freido. Read between the lines.
12:00 Thanks for the info on the public works, I just cannot imagine them not having a meeting for more than a month especially right after they hired the new SPW.
hahahahaha
6'-3" definitely not a short person problem.
Keep trying losers.
Try to solve a real problem.
Freido or as you tag me FVI.
Once again pathetic.
As always hilarious!
ps.
Wrong trilogy people, not Hobbit, Godfather!!
Pathetic
Freido
Pathetic. Who is more pathetic. The apes in the cage or the 6 ft 3 man hurling insults their way.
I think every one is wrong on his name. He is spelling it phonetically , he is named after greasy snack foods... Frito.
A Godfather by any other name would be as greasy. As always, predictable.
King Tut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gordon Gekko here. Greed is good.
Post a Comment