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
No disrespect intended to the retired judge. But, how is he and what qualifications does he have to be able to do a investigation? I'm not the smartest person on the block. A judge is a judge, in a court of law it's the lawyers who bring the facts of the case to a judge and they review the facts. A investigation is what it is. A certified investigator does their job and makes a report, that's given to an attorney, then a judge would receive it and review. A report is opinions and facts. If not all documentation a is not provided to the investigator, then the report in some level would not be valid. Opinions!
Review the council meeting video. The judge did the investigation and the results were not disputed. The only action is that of the State's Attorney's office to determine if the action is criminal.
The public has been the judge when they elected Mayor Harl twice. Many of you had been a important part of his election and re-election. Many of you thought he was more than capable of running Peru. Some still do! You or any city council members have no right or any power or ability to ask that he steps down. Democracy will not allow you that opportunity to change in midstream. He has raised alot of money and that is a indication of what reason and why those donors did donate.
He has raised alot of money and that is a indication of what reason and why those donors did donate."
Please explain this sentence, I don't know what you mean. Even Presidents have resigned amidst controversy and corruption so Democracy does allow this to happen. Yes the voters can ask and so can an alderman ask for resignation, that is within our rights or their rights to do so. The mayor did win this past election but with only 35% of the electorates vote. I personally don't believe a retired judge has any authority in the court of law unless he is practicing law independently after retiring from his elected or appointed position. He did interviews of all parties is my understanding, I don't call that an investigation. "Did the parties swear to tell the truth under oath.
11:32. Not that it matters, but he was elected by less than a majority due to the number of candidates. I would not be surprised if he influenced one of the candidates to run just to dilute the vote. Anyway, the people always have the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. Just because somebody is elected does not give them immunity from the law. So we have the right to ask him to resign his position. We should also change the state constitution allow us to recall local officials. This is something that is missing in Illinois law. Everyone should start sending post cards to him every week asking him to resign.
Hmmmmmm... lets see. I remember in 1972 Nixon was reelected with 60% of the vote, winning 49 states clearly giving him a "mandate." A couple of years later, he resigned. Of course, that was a time when newspapers actually reported on illegal activities committed by elected officials. The Judge clearly stated that what Mr. Harl did was not legal. However, he spun it so it sounded benign. We should accept the report but not the spin. As the post above says, start sending post cards every week. Send letters to the paper also.
Yes, everybody has a right to ask for a elected official to resign. The point being made is that his opinion on resigning is the only one that matters.
so now that the Utica mine is approved, how much can we get out of it in the form of new taxes? Its a profitable business, so I think we (the county) can pull maybe 20 to 30 million dollars out if we approve a special assessment for mine operations. Whatever it is, we need to do this quickly so the corporation understands that they need that the money is really belongs to the county. Maybe this is an opportunity to institute a plan in which our local governments take first - allowing maybe 5% or 10% of the profits for the corporation.
@6:10AM Do you have any idea at all of what you are really saying? What form of government are you promoting? Local Governments take first? Federal, State, County, City governments presently are not accomplishing what they are created for plus what they have infringed upon and you want to give them the opportunity to screw up more. Anyone who has similar ideas should first compare the costs of public - private enterprises to each other. Compare the lifetime cost of a government employee to one of private industry. Shocking what the difference is. Do you still want the government more involved?
Heard on WLPO this morning that our economic developer is developing a plan to promote route 6 in Peru. One of his suggestions was to place hanging flower baskets on the street light posts downtown. What the h double hockey sticks did alderman Perez and his handful of volunteers do last year?
10:48 - you need to work on your recognition of sarcasm. But that is how some government elected Democrats (or Democrat independents) feel in this area. The point of the post is exactly what you said.
Downtown Peru should be developed as a service industry area. Doctors, lawyers, insurance, etc. The best way to start is demolish every building over 50 years old and start over. If I had the money I would buy them all and do that.
Great write up! The approach Peru took to investigate allegations were wrong! There are plenty of FBI, and Forensic Investigators over a four county surrounding area that could've been easily retained. I've been a retired D-17 trooper with forensics background. The above details of allegations has fraud all over it. Forget getting justice served in LaSalle County, to much clout. It appears city officials want to make that magically disappear. Mr. Balestri is a super great man, however he is no longer a judge and has many influences on Etna Rd. good Luck.
I wonder if our economic director realizes that baskets were hung along Route 6 last year and planters filled with plants in front of businesses also along Route 6 and Rotary Park cleaned, trimmed and bulbs planted. All done free of charge to an unappreciative city administration by a group of volunteers. Ald. Perez would get the watering truck out late at night on hot summer nights and water the hanging baskets. No one in the public works dept. volunteered or were asked by the department head to do the watering. The volunteer effort was totally shunned. Shortly afterward Mayor Harl took it upon himself to hire a local greenhouse to do the flowerbeds for thousands of dollars. I often wondered if he was concerned that volunteers might also take that task upon themselves also.
Thank you for you thoughtful response to the fraud investigation happening in Peru. I agree with you it was not a thorough investigation but perhaps that is what the administration is looking for, to keep this issue from going any further. I also know that if the only thing done is what has occurred so far, there will always remain a stain upon this city because of a failure to do the right thing.
Hi Lois. I remember a story out of Springfield in which the union that represented the parks district employees almost went on strike because of volunteers. Springfield had to tell the volunteers to stop! You hit the nail on the head. Boss Harl needs to pass money out. He would rather pay the greenhouse than encourage volunteers.
Lois, please expand on the investigation and what should of been investgated. The investigation clearly outlines what, who, when. What was not thorough?
How come every time you see a city worker in city vehicle they are on the phone. I'm sure the law doesn't have an exemption for city workers. I even see IDOT and cops on the phone while driving.
I work on shooting park road, and in the morning at different times I see a burgundy command vehicle for the fire department at MCdonalds. See it very often. The other day there was a article in the newspaper with a city worker standing by a plow truck. This employee had 30+ years with the city working public works. Why wasn't this employee asked to oversee public works on his 40 hour work week?? He would know what to do. Until a new superintendent was hired? Doesn't this make sense since he has been with the city for 30+ years. Also, why didn't the city have those who drive city plows off today(8hours), and remove snow from 11-7 tonight when all businesses are closed on rt.6? STUPID TONIGHT During business hours doing snow.
FLOWER POTS near the top of light poles? I don't know about others, but when I drive through town I am watching where I am going and not looking for flowers - (could care less).
6:03 you need to slow down and smell the roses and see the beauty of flowers and what it adds to the warmth of a downtown. Check out Ottawa if you want to see a beautiful downtown. It makes people want to be there, to take a walk there and see how nice it looks. People are more apt to stop in stores and shop too. Ottawa utilizes volunteers and does an outstanding job. Peru could do so much more but not only is there no support from Boss Harl, but he actually discourages volunteers.
Peru has had flower pots on the light poles for more years than can be remembered. Last year there was a group of volunteers involved and Aldermen Perez and his wife did the watering of the hanging flowers. If anyone else is taking credit for having this as a new idea and the city administrators are supporting them financially, expense account or otherwise they all belong put down the road. Be careful they probably don't know the difference between poison ivy, oak or sumac from Lily of the Valleys.
Flower pots? Flower Pots? Come on! that is not economic development! They might be nie and all, but its putting lipstick on a pig. Send Bobby V back to the drawing board and don't let hime come back until he has a real idea. I like the idea of buying up all the old buildings and tearing them down, replacing them with modern buildings capable of supporting modern services. Keep the candle shops in Utica - do something to attract professional offices to Route 6 in Peru.
24 comments:
No disrespect intended to the retired judge. But, how is he and what qualifications does he have to be able to do a investigation? I'm not the smartest person on the block. A judge is a judge, in a court of law it's the lawyers who bring the facts of the case to a judge and they review the facts. A investigation is what it is. A certified investigator does their job and makes a report, that's given to an attorney, then a judge would receive it and review. A report is opinions and facts. If not all documentation a is not provided to the investigator, then the report in some level would not be valid. Opinions!
Review the council meeting video. The judge did the investigation and the results were not disputed. The only action is that of the State's Attorney's office to determine if the action is criminal.
The public has been the judge when they elected Mayor Harl twice. Many of you had been a important part of his election and re-election. Many of you thought he was more than capable of running Peru. Some still do! You or any city council members have no right or any power or ability to ask that he steps down. Democracy will not allow you that opportunity to change in midstream. He has raised alot of money and that is a indication of what reason and why those donors did donate.
He has raised alot of money and that is a indication of what reason and why those donors did donate."
Please explain this sentence, I don't know what you mean. Even Presidents have resigned amidst controversy and corruption so Democracy does allow this to happen. Yes the voters can ask and so can an alderman ask for resignation, that is within our rights or their rights to do so. The mayor did win this past election but with only 35% of the electorates vote.
I personally don't believe a retired judge has any authority in the court of law unless he is practicing law independently after retiring from his elected or appointed position. He did interviews of all parties is my understanding, I don't call that an investigation. "Did the parties swear to tell the truth under oath.
11:32. Not that it matters, but he was elected by less than a majority due to the number of candidates. I would not be surprised if he influenced one of the candidates to run just to dilute the vote. Anyway, the people always have the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. Just because somebody is elected does not give them immunity from the law.
So we have the right to ask him to resign his position. We should also change the state constitution allow us to recall local officials. This is something that is missing in Illinois law.
Everyone should start sending post cards to him every week asking him to resign.
Hmmmmmm... lets see. I remember in 1972 Nixon was reelected with 60% of the vote, winning 49 states clearly giving him a "mandate." A couple of years later, he resigned. Of course, that was a time when newspapers actually reported on illegal activities committed by elected officials.
The Judge clearly stated that what Mr. Harl did was not legal. However, he spun it so it sounded benign. We should accept the report but not the spin. As the post above says, start sending post cards every week. Send letters to the paper also.
Yes, everybody has a right to ask for a elected official to resign. The point being made is that his opinion on resigning is the only one that matters.
so now that the Utica mine is approved, how much can we get out of it in the form of new taxes? Its a profitable business, so I think we (the county) can pull maybe 20 to 30 million dollars out if we approve a special assessment for mine operations. Whatever it is, we need to do this quickly so the corporation understands that they need that the money is really belongs to the county. Maybe this is an opportunity to institute a plan in which our local governments take first - allowing maybe 5% or 10% of the profits for the corporation.
@6:10AM Do you have any idea at all of what you are really saying? What form of government are you promoting? Local Governments take first?
Federal, State, County, City governments presently are not accomplishing what they are created for plus what they have infringed upon and you want to give them the opportunity to screw up more.
Anyone who has similar ideas should first compare the costs of public - private enterprises to each other. Compare the lifetime cost of a government employee to one of private industry. Shocking what the difference is. Do you still want the government more involved?
Heard on WLPO this morning that our economic developer is developing a plan to promote route 6 in Peru. One of his suggestions was to place hanging flower baskets on the street light posts downtown. What the h double hockey sticks did alderman Perez and his handful of volunteers do last year?
10:48 - you need to work on your recognition of sarcasm. But that is how some government elected Democrats (or Democrat independents) feel in this area. The point of the post is exactly what you said.
Downtown Peru should be developed as a service industry area. Doctors, lawyers, insurance, etc. The best way to start is demolish every building over 50 years old and start over. If I had the money I would buy them all and do that.
Great write up! The approach Peru took to investigate allegations were wrong! There are plenty of FBI, and Forensic Investigators over a four county surrounding area that could've been easily retained.
I've been a retired D-17 trooper with forensics background. The above details of allegations has fraud all over it. Forget getting justice served in LaSalle County, to much clout. It appears city officials want to make that magically disappear. Mr. Balestri is a super great man, however he is no longer a judge and has many influences on Etna Rd. good Luck.
Planters hanging from lamp posts? WTF! We need a viable economic development planner. Not a washed out newspaper man and ex-township clerk.
I wonder if our economic director realizes that baskets were hung along Route 6 last year and planters filled with plants in front of businesses also along Route 6 and Rotary Park cleaned, trimmed and bulbs planted. All done free of charge to an unappreciative city administration by a group of volunteers. Ald. Perez would get the watering truck out late at night on hot summer nights and water the hanging baskets. No one in the public works dept. volunteered or were asked by the department head to do the watering. The volunteer effort was totally shunned. Shortly afterward Mayor Harl took it upon himself to hire a local greenhouse to do the flowerbeds for thousands of dollars. I often wondered if he was concerned that volunteers might also take that task upon themselves also.
11:55 AM
Thank you for you thoughtful response to the fraud investigation happening in Peru. I agree with you it was not a thorough investigation but perhaps that is what the administration is looking for, to keep this issue from going any further. I also know that if the only thing done is what has occurred so far, there will always remain a stain upon this city because of a failure to do the right thing.
Hi Lois. I remember a story out of Springfield in which the union that represented the parks district employees almost went on strike because of volunteers. Springfield had to tell the volunteers to stop! You hit the nail on the head. Boss Harl needs to pass money out. He would rather pay the greenhouse than encourage volunteers.
Lois, please expand on the investigation and what should of been investgated. The investigation clearly outlines what, who, when. What was not thorough?
How come every time you see a city worker in city vehicle they are on the phone. I'm sure the law doesn't have an exemption for city workers. I even see IDOT and cops on the phone while driving.
I work on shooting park road, and in the morning at different times I see a burgundy command vehicle for the fire department at MCdonalds. See it very often. The other day there was a article in the newspaper with a city worker standing by a plow truck. This employee had 30+ years with the city working public works. Why wasn't this employee asked to oversee public works on his 40 hour work week?? He would know what to do. Until a new superintendent was hired? Doesn't this make sense since he has been with the city for 30+ years. Also, why didn't the city have those who drive city plows off today(8hours), and remove snow from 11-7 tonight when all businesses are closed on rt.6? STUPID TONIGHT During business hours doing snow.
FLOWER POTS near the top of light poles? I don't know about others, but when I drive through town I am watching where I am going and not looking for flowers - (could care less).
6:03 you need to slow down and smell the roses and see the beauty of flowers and what it adds to the warmth of a downtown. Check out Ottawa if you want to see a beautiful downtown. It makes people want to be there, to take a walk there and see how nice it looks. People are more apt to stop in stores and shop too. Ottawa utilizes volunteers and does an outstanding job. Peru could do so much more but not only is there no support from Boss Harl, but he actually discourages volunteers.
Peru has had flower pots on the light poles for more years than can be remembered. Last year there was a group of volunteers involved and Aldermen Perez and his wife did the watering of the hanging flowers.
If anyone else is taking credit for having this as a new idea and the city administrators are supporting them financially, expense account or otherwise they all belong put down the road.
Be careful they probably don't know the difference between poison ivy, oak or sumac from Lily of the Valleys.
Flower pots? Flower Pots? Come on! that is not economic development! They might be nie and all, but its putting lipstick on a pig. Send Bobby V back to the drawing board and don't let hime come back until he has a real idea. I like the idea of buying up all the old buildings and tearing them down, replacing them with modern buildings capable of supporting modern services.
Keep the candle shops in Utica - do something to attract professional offices to Route 6 in Peru.
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