When I left the last meeting of the Peru City Council, it was under the impression that there would be a committee meeting of the whole and at that time all our concerns would be answered. It was at the time that the Mayor was "done" with public comment.
Looks like according to this document that the committee meeting of the whole will be a closed session. Were you at the meeting and what do you understand about this meeting?
48 comments:
Before this topic gets underway I would like to comment on something I just read which is this:
City of Peru officials made it clear to Rodney Perez today that they do NOT support the family fun day he has organized. He was told he can NOT use city equipment for a non City event.
Really? They never had a problem with the last event but since he called them out on the pay fraud they are targeting him. Don't they realize this is for our children!!
Rodney says it will go on with or without city hall support.
The above is in response to the planned Winter Fun Day that Ald. Perez and some of the Recreation Committee have planned for tomorrow at McKinley Park. Sledding and skating with free hot dogs and hot chocolate. One was held about 3 weeks ago and if the weather is allows he plans on one tomorrow. I am sure he has his help lined up for the afternoon. Time is from 3 to 7 PM. Show your support by stopping by even if you don't have children.
Lois, Who by name are the city officials who contacted Alderman Rodney Perez and have told him he can not use city equipment for a non city event? Alderman Perez please inform us.
Whoever they are they are unfit to be city representatives. Citizens who became involved with the pickle ball dynasty and the buying and storing of equipment for a favored few are seeing a result of what they so valiantly opposed.
To all: Please refer to the video recording of the last council meeting and what interpretation do you have as to why the Mayor stated that he was scheduling a meeting of the whole.
Most took that he was going to conduct a town hall meeting. Is there even a purpose of another closed session?
Does some city official have a idea of trying to ban those not in his favor from attending council or other city meetings? A certain representative or representatives are pushing their weight beyond their elected position.
I thought the mayor hinted that this meeting was supposed to be to discuss such questions as the "time clocks" and other questions that citizens had? Citizens aren't even invited.
What is the matter with our city officials? They can't even support one of their own who is trying to do something for the community and the children?
Whether you support alderman Perez and his views or not you should be in an uproar when officials refuse to back a program that is designed for our children. What other official has willing given of himself and his time to organize such an event.
5:11 Please explain your statement regarding the pickleball dynasty.
5:11 PM
Since I don't know or can't reveal names, look at the committee structure of aldermen. We eliminate public property because that is Ald. Perez. Really doesn't have much to do with Finance, does it?
My suggestion is to call your alderman and find out his position on this official city position.
Before going into closed session a motion should be made on the length of the meeting. For example if the motion states they will be done by 7pm and they are not, then the mayor should come out of closed session to inform the public of what time they will finish.
Would someone please explain what this meeting is all about? Read the packet attached to the agenda. It's agendas and minutes of past committee meetings. Some dated from last year. Why would agendas have to be discussed in closed session? Agendas and meetings that have already taken place? This is, in my opinion, a fake meeting that could end after 5 minutes. This means that if you're interested in attending the regular council meeting you may have to once again sit for an hour and wait. Who knows, maybe another potty break may even by on the agenda.
5:11 PM, February 07, 2014
You wrote: pickle ball dynasty and the buying and storing of equipment for a favored few are seeing a result of what they so valiantly opposed.
How can you be so uninformed and be involved in Peru Town Forum?
The Pickleball subject has been well documented on this blog.
We don't need you blogging lies!
There is NO EQUIPMENT being stored like racquets and balls for the "favored few". Wake up! Anybody that wants to play this sport can walk out on the court just like any tennis player can walk on the public courts and play the sport of tennis.
5:37 February 7th
You were the first blogger to question this uninformed blogger about their silly accusation! Thank you! We need more informed people that do NOT discredit Peru Town Forum.
Bloggers encourage debate about this $2,000 Project called " Pickleball in Peru" but NOT the false statements you have made.
Please get informed!
5:11 PM, February 07, 2014
Why are you are combining the subject of Pickleball with Alderman Perez and his quest to do a good deed for Peru!
You are not helping Alderman Perez tying his good deeds with false statements about a game played in a public park in Peru.
Alderman Perez settled the controversy over Pickleball and you want to connect this with a new event with sledding in a Peru Park! Get real.
Mayor Harl certainly had no issues with our city equipment being used last summer for Concerts for a Cause. Did we handle some lighting? Did we have a fire engine there? Did we have police and fire personnel there? If I'm wrong please correct me.
You're not wrong Lois. If you look at the disbursements dated 7/31/13 you'll see what we spent on the last concert.
The pickle ball dynasty is referring to the entire history of the handling of pickle ball "in Peru for a few". A much used tennis court was taken over for a small group who don't have any care of how much of taxpayers money has to be spent to satisfy their personnel wants, as evidenced by not accepting the one open park which would be acceptable to all but themselves. Veterans Park(where it still should be located if it is going to be a must).
Balls, paddles and equipment was purchased by a private citizen using city funds and stored in a private garage. This entire ordeal is the perfect example of give the wrong people an inch and immediately they'll want a foot.
Who owned that bike and parked it illegally on the street?
When the airport was being set up for a concert there was over $20,000 in lost income, turnover of crops, planting of grass seed which was supposed to be paid back to the city by the promoter but was forgiven by Scott Harl and never had to be paid back. Originally a alderman was to go to get what was owed when it totaled over $18,000.
This city seems to be spinning out of control with money being no object for what? I would like to know whose idea it was to hire trucks and have our public works doing overtime to remove snow for 2 nights and days. Let alone the disruption this caused to traffic along Rte 6 for 2 nites. Aren't businesses responsible for snow removal in front of their property? Why were city employees out on sidewalks shoveling snow tonight? It seems that I recently remember Ald. Potthoff of the Finance Committee commenting that the General Fund was getting low. Really?
Speaking once again of "pickleball" what will happen to the 5 nets that the city purchased for this game when the court becomes permanent with new net
Anon 7:23 If you are going to quote someone it is professional to publish their complete statement rather than misinterpreting a part of one sentence to change it to what you want it to be. What you have done is very low class.
Your $2,000 for the total amount of money spent in Peru for pickle ball is a false figure. Why don't you truthfully own up to how many times $2,000 it is costing the taxpayers.
Rather than satisfying a few city representation should satisfy the majority and make it their mission to lower taxes rather than spend, spend, spend. Don't remember anyone campaigning under the pickle ball platform but do remember many promises on low taxes.
Businesses do remove the snow from their sidewalks, but it is not their responsibility to remove the snow which has been pushed onto the sidewalks in front of their property or the amount of snow pushed from the roads to along their curbs so high that no one can park and open their car door.
Every year IDOT sends the City of Peru approximately $16,000 to do minor maintenance to Route 6 and for snow removal. Snow removal does not mean pushing it to the curb and sidewalk. State 6 being new there is very little maintenance if any to do, and for years Peru has had mild winters. All cities who are in this plan with IDOT love it and make money on it. I hope this gives you a better idea of why cities on a state highway are performing their own snow removal. I can assure you that many city representatives were not aware of this and denied it until they had someone inquire.
There should be an uproar in the City of Peru on the way issues are being handled. Whether it is payroll, snow removal, community fun days,no bid contracts, or pickleball, this administration appears to be incapable of decision making. The mayor needs to step up to the plate and at least let the people know he is in control. From the first day of the payroll scandal, he should have made a statement publicly that he was aware of the situation and would take full responsibility, since we now know it was him that gave the OK.
I see that according to Monday's agenda the mayor is appointing a new rec board member. I do know for a fact that there were 2 or 3 individuals whose names should have been on the proposed list of volunteers that the mayor said he was keeping whenever a vacancy on a board appeared. His appointment is not one of them. As far as I know there are no special requirements for this position so I see no reason why previous volunteers should not be considered. Conflict of interests?? Cronyism?? This is why people give up volunteering.
Was the event approved or disapproved at the last council meeting? Didn't read anything in the paper that said the council did not support the event? Tell us more.
In reading the official City of Peru Rodney Perez facebook we see nothing that say's the City of Peru officials were against a fun day at the park. On the facebook according to Perez he supports the cleaning of the snow in downtown. Much to do about nothing.
9:48 AM
The city of Peru FB page probably has no info on it, but info is on FB which is where I learned about it. My post came directly from the message. The city of Peru FB page is not a reliable source of ALL information regarding the events in the city. You might contact Ald. Ferrari, Ald. Sapienza, Ald. Mueller or Mayor Harl on the whys. Contact Ald. Perez if you want the truth.
Time clocks??? They got rid of the time clocks when Mikos resigned! It was a good 2months of honest payroll!! Now back to forging and adding hours illegally. By orders of the mayor!
Why is alderman Mueller against this "Fun Day" now when she was in support and in attendance at the first one? Who or what changed her mind. She was all for the lst one and thought it was a wonderful idea.
Hey citizens of Peru and fellow pickleball fans. Let's not forget the cost of the "porta potty" to the tune of approximately $700, the cost of 2 city employees to add yellow protective tubing to the fence at a cost of approximately 4 hours at $27/hour, cost of another employee to repair fence, cost of employees to weed around fence (NEVER DONE IN PREVIOUS YEARS), and cost of signs that were added to the fence, and padlocks. Add to that the cost of another city employee to take down the nets at the end of the season and to set them up at the beginning. $2000 was just the beginning of the expenses for this handful of people or should I say for this private club?
To:9:32
From: Alderman Perez
I do not have the ordinance in front of me but the city council revised the ordinance over a year ago giving Full authority to the Park and Recreation Board for any and all activities in the park and recreation.
With that said.. The council didn't need to approve this event.
Secondly, citycouncil Did not raise issue with McKinley Park being the location for family fun with skating and sledding.
The park and recreation board meets once per month, during the January meeting the president and board discussed the success of the first family day organized by myself and the board president. Being no tax payer funds were used to hold these events a motion to allow families to sled and skate at the pubic venue isnt needed. All we do is encourage families to go sledding while volunteers hand out free hotdogs and hot chocolate.. which I donated.
During the January Board meeting the board discussed doing this event again when weather allows, there were no objections by any board members nor by me or alderman mueller.
Most of the time when there is a community fun gathering I take a fire apparatus, during the last family event I staged the apparatus displaying the American Flag. (There were no issues or concerns)
Chief King encourages this public display in support of our community.
On Friday (yesterday) I corresponded with Chief King about taking over the truck which we would use the generators and lighting system from. Chief King told me he was approached by The Safety Committee which consists of Alderman Tony Ferrari and Mike Sapienza and they told Chief King he was not to allow any equipment be used for this event being its not approved by the City.
In my opinion this is wrong, way wrong!.. This community needs more activities for the families and our children and someone needs to take the bull by the horns and do it which I will work in conjunction with whoever wants to help, therefore there should be 110% support from the city.
The first event last month I sent out an e-mail to the mayor and All officials of this idea and plan, not one official voiced opposition. Alderman Potthoff let me know he was unavailable to help but wished us luck, Alderman Ferrari and Mueller showed up for a bit and were happy to see this event take place.
It just so happens this second event has not been welcomed by city officials. The only official I have heard from is Alderman Potthoff wishing us luck.
The Park Board is in full support and will be there helping as they were last time.
PVAS will also be there in support and safety of our community.
I hope this gives better insight of this great event:-)
Thank You!
Alderman Perez
I had to chuckle at the heading below the pic in the news trib today on page 3....cleaning up this town.
Anon 12:05 Should have read Alderman Perez Is cleaning up that town. Or according to Mayor Scott Harl Mr.Perez is cleaning up that town. Peru is a laughing stock. It went to Leader of the Valley to being a damn circus since Harl was elected.
Why a fire apparatus needed at an event with a flag? As far as snow removal, why didn't just city émployees do it??? Why contract companies. City could have done it 11pm-7a.m. Total waste of money. And Harl has said he's frugal. How were the companies chosen for
The job also? Many people are curious. HARL, would you or one of your appointed co-superintendents like to explain?
Did just read paper about snow removal. Harl should have gone to a public works employee who has seniority on that department. Wouldn't you think that an employee with 32 years working for the city would be capable of being superintendent until one is hired? Why didn't the city rent a equipment if needed????
It's so nice peru has so many people who are jack of all trades and masters of none. A famous comedian said that one time.
The ordinance from the Municode of Peru is Number74-70 (c) and reads as follows.
The parks and recreation board shall have the authority to conduct programs in parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, recreational facilities, and in other public buildings and grounds and may, for the implementation of the purposes for which this article is adopted, employ such supervisors, playground leaders, and other employees as it may deem proper and furnish and control such equipment and supplies as it may deem proper.
As Ald. Perez stated he is conducting this event as a volunteering alderman with the Peru Recreation Board approval.
How did this denial of the fire truck with lights come down through Ald. Ferrari and Ald. Sapienza. Are they ready to take responsibility of contacting the Fire Chief and asking for the refusal? I know both of those aldermen and they would not on their own initiate this. The person who did is the Fire Chief's boss and King must follow his orders. BUT the aldermen were not obliged to follow them. The Safety committee of which they are members has not had a recent meeting, the last agenda listed was for Dec. 11.
The question now is who told them to deny the use of the fire engine with lights for this event?
Are they aware it is illegal to use emails amongst each other to make decisions about Peru? What about the mayor?
Alderman Perez screwed up. If he wanted to get the nod from Boss Harl and Tammany Hall, he should have gave the hotdog concession to a connected restaurant so they could sell them at $9.50 each along with $10 beers and mixed drinks. That’s the “Peru Way!”
Everything is a go at McKinley Park. Great crowd, everyone, children, parents, grandparents having fun. Beautiful weather for outdoor activities, not cold and just warm enough for great snow. Come and join in on the fun.
PEREZ FOR MAYOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Correct me if I'm mistaken. Didn't I read once upon a time that HARL STATED HE LETS HIS DEPARTMENT HEAD MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS? Or am I delusional in my remembrance.
Unrelated perhaps, but heard their was a major accident at the adventure drive intersection? If so, I hope no one was injured. Just brought it up because since Harl changed it while the appropriate adlerpersons were out of town, the intersection seems to have a magic safety record.
Yet reports surface of many little accidents there. Just wondered if it actually happened today, and if so then we could watch it NOT be reported by the paper or recorded by the chief.
If the cars had to be towed or the people sent to the hospital, maybe they could say it was because of pre existing conditions.
5:52 PM
Yes department heads could do whatever they wanted without interference from mayors office. That made it easy for the mayor to say not my problem, see the dept head. But now he is just looking to get even with Ald. Perez even if it means using a dept. head to do it. And the reason doesn't even matter to him at this point,. Our mayor seems to be of the opinion that he doesn't have to do what is right but what he wants to feel good for himself. I see that in so many decisions he has recently made.
Such a sad state of affairs isn't it
When growing up there was always one kid in town if he didn't get his way or he lost he'd take his ball and go home.
But now that kid has multiplied by three and are hiding their fire truck and staying home and have yet to grow up.
This is a good example of the importance of all of us being a lot more careful in determining who we vote for in upcoming elections.
Good thing that no one asked to have a city dump truck at McKinley today. If you think certain city officials are touchy about fire trucks you can be assured that dump trucks are a questionable nature all of their own.
Has anyone given a thought to the Winter Day held at McKinley Park today and the reasons given why certain city officials would not allow a fire truck to be present.
I would say that the majority of adults and children at McKinley were from Peru.
I would also say that the majority in attendance at the Peru fireworks and airport concerts are not from Peru but the firetrucks,
ESDA vehicles and police cars are from Peru.
If you are paying for a service (taxes) but not receiving this service why do you have to pay for it. Would a certain third ward alderman, a certain first ward alderman and the certain top elected city official answer this?
Mr Perez
You are finally seeing what Mr. King is all about!
I have heard during the most recent "snow removal program" (during regular business hours for Fourth St businesses) he hired ADM trucks to remove snow as opposed to local firms who support the city with donations. I also heard that ADM is in contract negotiations with TRI STATE FIRE (Mr Kings company) for thier fire control needs. Why ADM trucks when we all know that local firms (names with held)have been used in the years past? To me this seems that Mr King is using his postion to enhance his own company, and isnt this a "conflict of interest?". Why wouldnt one support who supports the city with donations?
I have also heard that our mayor was made aware of the situation.
Harl be a man if you can and step down . This way peru can move on . Also take your alderman with you ! please .
I assure you, City dump trucks have been used for private citizens for work OUTSIDE the city limits! Several times over several days! And for a use nobody would believe!
Only Peru, and only Harl.
@7:55. If that is true, then Harl is guilty of insurance fraud.
Do you remember the ordeal with the Operation Promise donations 10:15? Where money was supposedly put
In wrong account. Everybody go back and read The blog title regarding operation promise donation 2013(blogs). A lot was blogged regarding that. Needle in a haystack somewhere.
How can we use fire trucks for baseball/softball parades after a sectional victory for a parade but not at th euse of a "family fun day"? And yes, I was part a a parade and I was called to meet the fire tracks at a specified location "to escort the team" I thought it was a joke!
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