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
Friday, March 28, 2014
Electric Department - Lineman Job Description Posted for Job Available
A lengthy job description has been recently posted on the Peru City web site. It is an interesting read..
66 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Why is there both a linesman and a double E being advertised for, only the foreman Jim Potthoff is retiring?
I know this is off subject but I see where the city of Peru again is looking for summer help. I wonder if anyone is considering helping any local unemployed family person to hire instead of kids ? Why not extend a helping hand to those in need.
We need to sell of the power plant and electric department. Peru cannot handel running something like this. Sell it now and let a power utility run it.
Justin, are you out of your mind...Peru has the lowest electric rates of all our surrounding communities.True, that another company will jack up the bill more than 50%, my opinoin.
1:28 the profit on sale and reduction in operating costs should enable the city to reduce taxation on every household and business to easily comoensate for any distribution charge difference.
And the actual power purchase kwh charge has been easily beaten by other suppliers since deregulation, that clearly would cost less, especially given the increases we are facing.
If the actual true costs associated with the old plant demolition are factored in, selling the whole operation and requiring the new buyer to responsibly demolish the old plant would have been one of the first things a city manager did.
The power plant is a huge negative for the future, even if it was smart in the past.
To all bloggers, please reveal the financial figures you are working with. Until it can be proven mathematically that the power plant is a bad investment keep it. I mean proof of today, a year from now , 5, 10 20 years from now. Anyone who has extensive corporate knowledge knows that all competitors are anxious to buy your winners and leave you with the losers. Presently I believe Peru is at the time of wanting a combination of all willing citizens, Mayor and his administration, the city council to discuss our city, set realistic plans and goals and the tools which we would use to achieve them. All must realize that success always includes teamwork, leadership, and vision. Accomplishing these factors Peru will continue to be a positive role model city in a leadership capacity. Does anyone else agree, or do we continue to want 100 major goals with our own always being first? When reading Peru's Mission statement:
"The City of Peru's mission is to provide top-quality, fiscally responsible municipal services in a manner that promotes the high standards of our City."
In this statement I do not see any specific group such as city officials stated therefor I believe that it is the responsibility of all citizens who can contribute to the success of Peru and it is the responsibility of city representation to meet with these citizens , listen to them, and to above all acknowledge them, their questions and ideas.
Art - I would agree with you except for one thing. The City of Peru Electric Department is being used to generate funds for other wasteful spending by the Harl Administration. The profits are not being reinvested to ensure reliable service. Regulated utilities are required to keep cash avaiable for emergencies. What would happen if a tornado hit Peru and took out a substation, or two substations? Do we have a million dollars or more sitting around waiting to build a new substation "just in case"? No, we do not. One of the largest substations in town is on Water Street - and they just build a cinder block wall around it to keep flooding out. That is the extent of Peru's investment. All over town I see power poles ready to fall down if somebody farts in the wrong directin. No - Peru can no longer handel electric power distribution and we don't have the money available to restore service in the evnet of a disaster - be man made or due to the weather.
Art. we cant live in the past. At one time the Electric Department was managed well with best intentions of the city in mind. Now, just like every other part of the city it is falling apart.
What is wrong with you people peru has the lowest rates around they rarely if ever go out of power and is always restored swiftly if lost -that light plant has made a lot of money for the city
1:55 that is not true. It was true. The distribution is slightly lower, but the actual power is more.
And industrial now is definitely much more.
Why do you keep saying this. The net total charge per kwh is more AND we are also paying for the plant, maintenance , salaries, etc... with our taxes.
The old plant demolition was done on the cheap. It was done flat out wrong. We may or may not get our butts handed to us in court on it, but that and the surcharge decision for captive businesses shows it is being managed by politicians, not professional power managers.
It is quite funny to see the reaction from the Peru "Lemmings" who get so bent out of shape when someone questions their beloved Electric Department and specifically the Hydro Plant. These people believe their electric rates are the lowest around and their distribution and generation systems are the best for one specific reason. Because their elected officials have been telling them for years that it is, therefore it must be. Don told them their rates are the best and the current goup of scammer aldermen tell them the same. Therefore, it must be true right? Sad part is, most of the current aldermen and mayor probably beleive it too. They actually authorized a study in 2009 or 2010 that revealed a rate structure that was allowing power to be sold to several local industries at a loss to the taxpayers and city. The study exposed numerous sweetheart deals that showed different rates were negotiated for different industries as a result of back-room deals by Baker and Prazen without any council approval. The current city council made a weak attempt to correct the problem and local industry threw a fit when confronted with a rate increase. So what did our phony leaders do? They did what they always do, they ran away from the issue and hired a consultant becuase they lack the courage and intelligence to deal with the problem themselves. The electric rate issues for resifdential, commercial, and industrial have not gone away folks. It continues to fester, but only behind the scenes. The Public Worst Committee, which oversees the Electric Department will not even allow discussion of electric rates in committee meetings, let alone at a full council meeting. They are currently hiding the fact that their association with the IMEA and that agencies dependance on coal-fired power generation will soon result in higher and higher rates for every user in Peru becuase regulations against coal-fired plants is causing higher and higher generation costs which must be passed along to customers. Why does the average Peru citizen not know this? They don't know it because we have elected officials who would rather run and hide from an issue instead of facing it head-on. We need leaders and all we have are pretenders. If we don't at least get a City Manager some time soon this city is going to continue to flounder aimlessly.
The only right way to make a comparison is by looking at the cost per kilowatt hour. It's the same as your tax rates. Both are generally lower in Peru than other surrounding communities. Check for yourself and use real facts. I am talking about the residential rate.
I love how someone said "sell it now!" This blog is crazy town.
7:46 Statistics don't lie. Peru has enjoyed the low rates produced by the co-op for many years. If you can determine electric, gas, winds rates for the next several years, you really should a broker/trader. With the closing of Nuclear plants, more regulations, more renewables, its likely that all power rates will increase for everyone. However you have no idea how many advantages you have with Peru Electricity. RELIABLE, RENEWABLE, LONG TERM RATE STABALIZATION. You and many others have enjoyed the low cost advantages of Peru Power, you will continue to have those same advantages if your leaders have the knowledge to stay the course. A few know the history, lets hope they will convince the others.
My Peru kilowatt rate for Feburary is 11 cents per kilo watt hour. That's a residential rate and it includes the purchased power rate of .0384. My friend in LaSalle is locked in a rate for two years at . 045 per kilo watt hour. Even if you include tax and line charges he pays less. Homeowners in the city of Lasalle can choose who there electric provider is because of Deregulation. If you live in Peru, we can't choose our provider because there is laws that protect the City Electric Departments.
Was just having a conversation with an ex liberty fireman and seems Liberty Fire is having their annual meeting Wednesday with the annual steak dinner . Typical. There's everyone's donation money hard at work . Don't pay for the new fire truck , buy yourselves steaks and such. Also they are voting on the officers , except the chief because he's appointed by the mayor . I'll bet the butt kissing is in full swing .
Why does the Peru have to purchase power? How much kilo watts per hour does the Hydro produce each month? It would be nice to see what it produces each month. Also how much kilo watt per hour the city have to purchase each month. Is the hydro dam producing enough power to pay the loan and over head cost such as maintenance and labor?
1:21 The rates are at best marginally less. But the cost to run and maintain it, and comply with regulations... Those are costs we ALL pay. That money would be available to the city!
To have it make sense, we would need to sell power to others or have power to each of us at half the rates we are charged. READ the consultants analysis!
f anyone would attend council meetings you'd see when waldorf reads the electric report that the city usually brings in several hundred thousands of dollars a month from billing in surplus after paying for the electricity used . but yet according to Harl were broke !
And Harl takes that money and uses it for other things instead of keeping it in the electric department. Yup. Boss Harl never saw a nickel he didn't want to spend.
Twenty different critical comments, twenty different opinions. If you think the electric department should be shut down or we should sell off the hydro plant or the best one yet, merge with LaSalle, then why don't you take out a petition and run for office on those platforms? Put it out there and run. That is how it is supposed to work. The voters will speak one way or the other, as I am sure you will have all of the attention you want. I'm all for change when it is what the citizens want.
5:08 Peru's electrical rate is not 25 times LaSalle's. You said theirs is .045 and ours is .11? Or at least I assume that is what you meant? Sorry, not even close.
Is that a true statement that the Electrical report shows the City after paying for the power needed for Peru, nets several hundred thousand a month in profits billing outside the city?
You stated you wanted to see the city out of the Power business. Why? You attend meetings as well, even ran as a potential leader. Your also are respected for having a fine economic mind by many.
I am not asking you to put you on the spot, but rather to clarify your position and state the case against that revenue, or debunk it a bit?
If it includes all payments on debt, operating costs, reserve for maintenance/disaster... And still brings in that much monthly... What is the downside? If you have contact with others from the infrastructure committee, maybe you could explain in lay mans terns the dollars and sense of it.
If its just a libertarian fundamentalist belief that Government should not be involved in anything related to the free market, don't bother. We already got that. But if you have facts I really would like to hear them.
Peru electric is not a Co-Op. It is a Municipal Electric. Almost all the power is purchased. The Hydro generates a lot of power, but not enough to meet all the needs. Its profitability comes from selling "green energy credits" which are declining in value. I think it would be best for Peru to get out while the getting is good. Peru is already at least a decade behind on electric distribution technology due to lack of investment. If Peru suffers a significant weather event, they will not be able to restore power quickly due to lack of investment and lack of cash reserves. Remember, it could take FEMA months to come up with money. And yes, Peru owns the power poles, not the telephone company and definitely not the cable company.
Hey 7:16, doesn't red red wine go with steaks for Librrty Fire Company's steak dinner tomorrow? That's right folks, donate money to our fire department so they can eat steaks. And let the taxpayers pay for the while cost if a new fire truck. What a joke. Let's see account info
Another thing our daily dishrag does not tell us. Peru and all the other members of the IMEA are about to pay out the A$$ on this Prairie State Energy fiasco.
For simplistic reasons; the government isn't a business, and in no way can ever be run as a business.
Selling it would be one less thing our local government would have to worry about, while also making decisions regarding the electric utility more about economic value than a politically motivated one.
Pursuing selling it would also free up debt and use the proceeds to pursue other things in regards to beautification of the city.
I found this chart: http://www.pluginillinois.org/MunicipalAggregationList.aspx
If it is true, then LaSalle is paying 4.42 cents/kwh, and on my most recent bill, I paid $25.98 (including the "purchased power adjustment", whatever that means)for 214kwh which equals 12.14 cents/kwh.
Unless I'm mistaken, I'd like to see proof where people believe their rates will go up by 50% by letting a private utility take over.
9:28 your on fantasy island with those comments. Nothing in your comments has any factual information. Peru has a modern system of technology, surplus funds and profitable.
10:57 Why not be a part of Liberty and take part in the training that Liberty povides? Are you too good for the rest of the program, and in 150 years who are the only firefighters that were not part of Liberty. Why when you need teamwork in public safety would someone not be part of the TEAM? It sends the message that your about yourself not for a team safety approach.
9:28 The power that is purchased comes from the utility that Peru has ownership in with the members of the IMEA. More is generated with the Hydro-electric and a portion is bought from both long term and short-term trading. Your comments of a weather event would serve no purpose, as any power producers would have the same liability. Peru has a advantage with in-house lineman and immediate response to any weather related problem.
Lois, recently you posted a open comment session in which if a subject was not the topic which everyone was addressing it could be brought up in the open comment. Similar to public comment The reason I bring this up now is the fact that we are commenting on electrical service and rates. This subject is very important and affects all property owners in Peru. It is also a topic which deserves undivided attention to obtain through technical answers. So along comes the normal target of a few in which they butt in and interrupt any number of others comments to inform us of they want account info on the fire department. @10:57 AM, April 1, 2014 The City of Peru's Fire Department non emergency phone number is 815-223-2141. The C, FD is Jeff King and the Mayor is Scott Harl. There are two alderman who make up the Public Health and Safety Committee which includes the Fire Department. They are Alderman Ferrari and Alderman Sapienza.I assure you that they both have telephones. Until you personally call them with your criticism U R the JOKE! The blog is not designed to do the research you want nor is it going to do your research which you yourself should first attempt!
and the IMEA invested heavily in a political boondoggle called Prairie State Energy, and every member is about to start feeling the pain. Peru may have enough on call linemen, but they don't have transformers just sitting around, let alone poles and transmission line, insulators, re-closers, etc. Well, maybe a few transformers, but not many. As far as technology goes, they still send a meter reader walking through peoples yards to determine usage. Our metering system is 20 years out of date. They cannot selectively shed load - it is all or nothing. The distribution system is primarily above ground - which makes the need for ready spares a requirement. Right of ways and easements throughout the older sections of town have not been enforced and would make a large scale replacement of overhead lines time consuming and difficult. Tree trimming is not enforced. And on and on and on. Finally, the City of Peru does not have the planning ability nor the management expertise to handle this system moving forward. They can't even figure out what to charge their customers. Nope, you can't convince me that it is wise to continue down this path if there is an escape route. But, if we don't sell it, this is all the more reason to do away with our current form of government and put a City Manager in place that has statuary authority to make sound business decisions. We must also hire a manager that knows how to run a utility - not a friend of a friend that has a pair of lineman's pliers. Oh, I forgot. Go drink your coffee.
I'm a young individual just like you, all I can say is get out while you can. I agree with 99 percent of the things you say and all i can say is (no offense) this blog is riddled with a lot of closed minded people. when you ran for office you noticed a lot of young people expressing how badly they didn't want to stay in this area, well after reading this blog I hope you can understand why. This area is loaded with baby boomers who wouldn't want change if it saved their life. Take care my friend, hope you make your efforts worthwhile.
Why is the assumption always that cheaper is better? Is LaSalle better because it is cheaper to live there? Cecause some of the property values are lower? How is this a good thing?
Our taxes are lower and our schools are the best part of our community hands down. If only our city ran that well.
The bottom line is both my property taxes and my electric bills are pretty low. I can about count on one hand how many times my power has gone out. I have concerns with our city but this idea that cheaper is always better is foolishness. Some of you just rip on everything about Peru but I still would not pick anywhere else to live!
The hell you say! Peru has a fine electrical contingency plan. They will simply use the batteries from the city's vast fleet of trucks. Should be enough to power most of the valley. Last count, 2 vehicles for each employee :) I hear tell that each employee will be allowed to keep their vehicle when they quit or retire. Yup, Peru IL, keeping Detroit in business. Now, time for some coffee.
Its almost time for the kids of the friends of Aldermen to start drawing pay from the City. Last year I made this observation:
Two kids were working for the city. One would dig a hole, then the other would come behind him and fill the hole. They were drenched in sweat because they were not used to manual labor. A man watching from the sidewalk couldn’t believe how hard they were working, but also couldn’t understand what they were doing. Finally he said:
“I’m confused. You dig a hole and then your partner comes behind you and fills it up again!”
The kid doing the digging leaned on his shovel and replied, “Oh yeah, it must look funny. You see, the kid who plants the trees is sick today!”
Well the coffee may be strong but the kool-aid looks to the cause of the recent drug induced surge on Peru Power. Until you come up with rates that are consistent, less costly, more reliable and cheaper please don't jump on this new SELL PERU referendum. I may have supported the at-large craze, after all it didn't cost me money. But, this new new Sell Peru power is serious. Show me the facts and the reasons why before you light us up on this initiative. I don't care about the FBI, flowers, city pick-up, splash pads, steak frys for fireman, or the other non essential issues. Just my residential power.
804 I think you need to look at your Peru electric Bill. Simple math that 3rd grader can do. I paid eleven cents per kilo watt hour for February 2014. I'm sorry the city of Peru doesn't break the line charge down on there bill.
I think the electric department conversation is really about not trusting our current gaggle of “Dear Leaders.” This effete corps of impudent snobs who characterize themselves as intellectuals will be the ruin of Peru. I think everyone is in agreement that electric power distribution has been well handled since the 1960’s. But this is not the doing of the current regime. So why not spin it off to protect it?
4:20 I think you are referring to 8:40. Eleven cents is .11 and the other person said LaSalle's is .045 and implied it is that much cheaper. By my math 11 cents is about 25 times .45 cents so just move the decimal and there is nothing wrong with the math.
This is the problem the critics cherry pick numbers and I still wouldn't trade LaSalle's rate for ours. My electric bill is ridiculously low but try telling anyone on the blog that.
There is no longer any sense or reason here just rumors that entertain craziness. Now the new cause is selling the electric plant?
Hey everyone, "Justin's" electric bill last month was $25.98. For a month of electrical power. Wow. Sounds like a good reason to sell the plant to me!
6:11 - ahhh, I think it was a joke. Really, imagine kids actually digging a hole in the ground. That would never happen with our hired kids of the friends of Aldermen.
I agree 6:18. The residential rate is way to low. The politicians that set the rate keep the residential rate low and make up the difference by charging commercial and industrial users way more, above the market actually. It should be balanced out and residential users should actually pay more to keep the system up and running. Votes are getting in the way of providing a reliable service. Just like the water rate. It should be twice what they are charging and the money should be used to upgrage the system.
I don't like the fact that I'm home eating tuna with crackers and my fireman are always eating steak and shrimp and open bar at Christmas parties and asking for donations . I can afford those things but chose to spend my hard earned money wisely . I pay taxes to support my fire dept . so don't give me that crap that I better hope I don't need their help either. Liberty sounds like the joke to a lot of us .
I like the fact that my power in Peru never goes out ! No matter that every town around us is having power outages , mine is still on. I've lived in Peru over 30 years and the power went out less than a dozen times . Mostly because of car accidents hitting a pole or an animal getting in the way .
@ 1:44 So your saying fireman don't get trained unless they are a liberty member ? And I believe when the city took over the fire dept. a few years back fireman had a choice whether or not they wanted to be a member of liberty, the fireman's association. Liberty has no power or say in what happens in the city run fire department. You're living in the past when liberty ran everything . That's not how it is any more. The only thing us citizens can't understand is why Liberty thinks it still runs the show ! Your bylaws or Constitution is as useless as using a fork to eat soup when it comes to the city fire Dept.
Congratulations! You've completely missed the point and cherry picked a part of my statement with nothing more than a straw man argument. My dollar amount isn't that high, considering I live in a relatively small house with one other person, but that doesn't mean better options can't be pursued. I guess you'll completely disregard the chart from the website I found, where, according to the website, LaSalle pays 4.42 cents/kwh to our 12 cents/kwh.
I was under the assumption that fireman didn't need to be part of Liberty to be a fireman . Just like to be a city fireman there is a 10 mile residency clause but to be a member of Liberty there is a "live in Peru" clause . I'm a fireman in a neighboring town and we have the same type of group . The guys don't need to be part of our fireman's association to be a fireman. We all still train the same and get along. We don't look down or talk bad about fireman that aren't on our fireman's association . I guess our association hasn't been around for 150 years yet so we're not as stuck up as you guys ! This is just stupid that your organization can talk like other guys aren't as good of fireman like members of your association. This is exactly why us other towns leave your town out of alot of stuff , your attitudes! We are all fireman first and are all in this together , we aren't here to make money for ourselves or our association, we're here to serve the public . Get it together , please !
It might make sense to directly compare two residential bills, one in La Salle and one in Peru. The purchase rate per KWh is in the 4 to 6 cent range for all suppliers, but to get the total you need to divide the total bill by the kwh. That is because over half is in the distribution charge , or line charge. Thats the cost to get it to you.
There also a flat customer charge. I am not looking at a Peru bill right now, but if they break all those out, it would be easy to compare the three sections. Lois, you can do a nice picture blog for everyone to look at them.
I think you will find that it is nit true that other cities are paying far less, nor is Peru supplying at much less. The people spouting we have low electric rates are just wrong..its not much lower and the plant and the utility itself is becoming a possible liability. Note I said possible.
It's green credits might be very attractive to a buyer, and a long term sweetheart deal gor both residents and say all new INDUSTRIAL users might be negotiated. Otherwise, I am afraid that Peru will be over its head in regulation and power management, if it is not already.
This is not just about being against EVERYTHING, or a referendum du jour, it really needs strong analysis because it is both important and dynamic. Things are changing rapidly in the power supply business. Not many cities are utilities as well. Our infrastructure is old and NOT in great shape. We do NOT have sufficient reserve. It does not seem as if Justin knows how much the plant makes as far as profit, or its source of profit...another blogger said it was from selling green credits. I would like some facts on it... Without pre judging either way.
6:45. Thanks for your blog. Your service to your community is for the right reasons. Certain communities put out a persona that they are better then others.
3:39 again..that says nothing. Is that your total...or only your power cost? Did you get it by taking the total bill divided by kwh? If so then you are paying much less than most.
If that's only your power cost... You need to switch suppliers. If it's your total... You are doing great!
Peru has a great electric dept they all work hard and I for one am grateful I never lose power thank you! also I wish you people would quit complaining about steak dinners-have you never worked anywhere where you have a kitty and out of that kitty you have a party now and then if you haven't then start one up at you workplace and have some fun
To 6:00pm. That is my total cost which includes everything. The city of Peru doesn't necessarily have a bad system, but the cost of everything electricity related has come down substantially in the past 15 years (my brother in law is an electrical engineer). Why they monopolize a system where competition can bring down costs without sacrificing quality is beyond me. Perhaps it's politically motivated?
I think everyone is missing the biggest point. Can Peru continue to manage the system and maintain the reliability that everyone is used to? The current refusal to bring in experience from the "outside world" is indicative of a larger problem and will slowly degrade the service. The electric fund also needs to keep large cash reserves "just in case." I don't think the city has the political will to let money sit idle.
66 comments:
Why is there both a linesman and a double E being advertised for, only the foreman Jim Potthoff is retiring?
I know this is off subject but I see where the city of Peru again is looking for summer help.
I wonder if anyone is considering helping any local unemployed family person to hire instead of kids ?
Why not extend a helping hand to those in need.
We need to sell of the power plant and electric department. Peru cannot handel running something like this. Sell it now and let a power utility run it.
9:14
Agreed
914, don't complain when that new company bills you 50% more on your usage. It can and will happen.
1:28 - that is same scare tactic that "they" have been using for 30 years. Go drink your coffee - bitter coffee for bitter old guys that is.
Justin, are you out of your mind...Peru has the lowest electric rates of all our surrounding communities.True, that another company will jack up the bill more than 50%, my opinoin.
1:28 the profit on sale and reduction in operating costs should enable the city to reduce taxation on every household and business to easily comoensate for any distribution charge difference.
And the actual power purchase kwh charge has been easily beaten by other suppliers since deregulation, that clearly would cost less, especially given the increases we are facing.
If the actual true costs associated with the old plant demolition are factored in, selling the whole operation and requiring the new buyer to responsibly demolish the old plant would have been one of the first things a city manager did.
The power plant is a huge negative for the future, even if it was smart in the past.
To all bloggers, please reveal the financial figures you are working with. Until it can be proven mathematically that the power plant is a bad investment keep it. I mean proof of today, a year from now , 5, 10 20 years from now.
Anyone who has extensive corporate knowledge knows that all competitors are anxious to buy your winners and leave you with the losers.
Presently I believe Peru is at the time of wanting a combination of all willing citizens, Mayor and his administration, the city council to discuss our city, set realistic plans and goals and the tools which we would use to achieve them. All must realize that success always includes teamwork, leadership, and vision. Accomplishing these factors Peru will continue to be a positive role model city in a leadership capacity. Does anyone else agree, or do we continue to want 100 major goals with our own always being first?
When reading Peru's Mission statement:
"The City of Peru's mission is to provide top-quality, fiscally responsible municipal services in a manner that promotes the high standards of our City."
In this statement I do not see any
specific group such as city officials stated therefor I believe that it is the responsibility of all citizens who can contribute to the success of Peru and it is the responsibility of city representation to meet with these citizens , listen to them, and to above all acknowledge them, their questions and ideas.
Art - I would agree with you except for one thing. The City of Peru Electric Department is being used to generate funds for other wasteful spending by the Harl Administration. The profits are not being reinvested to ensure reliable service. Regulated utilities are required to keep cash avaiable for emergencies. What would happen if a tornado hit Peru and took out a substation, or two substations? Do we have a million dollars or more sitting around waiting to build a new substation "just in case"? No, we do not. One of the largest substations in town is on Water Street - and they just build a cinder block wall around it to keep flooding out. That is the extent of Peru's investment. All over town I see power poles ready to fall down if somebody farts in the wrong directin. No - Peru can no longer handel electric power distribution and we don't have the money available to restore service in the evnet of a disaster - be man made or due to the weather.
Art. we cant live in the past. At one time the Electric Department was managed well with best intentions of the city in mind. Now, just like every other part of the city it is falling apart.
What is wrong with you people peru has the lowest rates around they rarely if ever go out of power and is always restored swiftly if lost -that light plant has made a lot of money for the city
1:55 that is not true. It was true. The distribution is slightly lower, but the actual power is more.
And industrial now is definitely much more.
Why do you keep saying this. The net total charge per kwh is more AND we are also paying for the plant, maintenance , salaries, etc... with our taxes.
The old plant demolition was done on the cheap. It was done flat out wrong. We may or may not get our butts handed to us in court on it, but that and the surcharge decision for captive businesses shows it is being managed by politicians, not professional power managers.
The bad poles belong to the phone and cable co.
1:55 You hit the nail on the head. Peru is more expensive!!
Prove the electric rate will go up by 50% if a utility runs it. Back up your claim.
It is quite funny to see the reaction from the Peru "Lemmings" who get so bent out of shape when someone questions their beloved Electric Department and specifically the Hydro Plant.
These people believe their electric rates are the lowest around and their distribution and generation systems are the best for one specific reason. Because their elected officials have been telling them for years that it is, therefore it must be. Don told them their rates are the best and the current goup of scammer aldermen tell them the same. Therefore, it must be true right? Sad part is, most of the current aldermen and mayor probably beleive it too. They actually authorized a study in 2009 or 2010 that revealed a rate structure that was allowing power to be sold to several local industries at a loss to the taxpayers and city. The study exposed numerous sweetheart deals that showed different rates were negotiated for different industries as a result of back-room deals by Baker and Prazen without any council approval.
The current city council made a weak attempt to correct the problem and local industry threw a fit when confronted with a rate increase. So what did our phony leaders do? They did what they always do, they ran away from the issue and hired a consultant becuase they lack the courage and intelligence to deal with the problem themselves. The electric rate issues for resifdential, commercial, and industrial have not gone away folks. It continues to fester, but only behind the scenes. The Public Worst Committee, which oversees the Electric Department will not even allow discussion of electric rates in committee meetings, let alone at a full council meeting.
They are currently hiding the fact that their association with the IMEA and that agencies dependance on coal-fired power generation will soon result in higher and higher rates for every user in Peru becuase regulations against coal-fired plants is causing higher and higher generation costs which must be passed along to customers.
Why does the average Peru citizen not know this? They don't know it because we have elected officials who would rather run and hide from an issue instead of facing it head-on. We need leaders and all we have are pretenders. If we don't at least get a City Manager some time soon this city is going to continue to flounder aimlessly.
The only right way to make a comparison is by looking at the cost per kilowatt hour. It's the same as your tax rates. Both are generally lower in Peru than other surrounding communities. Check for yourself and use real facts. I am talking about the residential rate.
I love how someone said "sell it now!" This blog is crazy town.
7:46 Statistics don't lie. Peru has enjoyed the low rates produced by the co-op for many years. If you can determine electric, gas, winds rates for the next several years, you really should a broker/trader. With the closing of Nuclear plants, more regulations, more renewables, its likely that all power rates will increase for everyone. However you have no idea how many advantages you have with Peru Electricity. RELIABLE, RENEWABLE, LONG TERM RATE STABALIZATION. You and many others have enjoyed the low cost advantages of Peru Power, you will continue to have those same advantages if your leaders have the knowledge to stay the course. A few know the history, lets hope they will convince the others.
Anon 7:46- Sounds like you just put your hat in the ring to run for office?
My Peru kilowatt rate for Feburary is 11 cents per kilo watt hour. That's a residential rate and it includes the purchased power rate of .0384. My friend in LaSalle is locked in a rate for two years at . 045 per kilo watt hour. Even if you include tax and line charges he pays less. Homeowners in the city of Lasalle can choose who there electric provider is because of Deregulation. If you live in Peru, we can't choose our provider because there is laws that protect the City Electric Departments.
5:08 Thank you for the truth. LaSalle, LEADER OF THE VALLEY!!!!!
LaSalle and Peru need to merge. There is absolutely no reason to continue with two independent cities. All for One and One for All!
Was just having a conversation with an ex liberty fireman and seems Liberty Fire is having their annual meeting Wednesday with the annual steak dinner . Typical. There's everyone's donation money hard at work . Don't pay for the new fire truck , buy yourselves steaks and such. Also they are voting on the officers , except the chief because he's appointed by the mayor . I'll bet the butt kissing is in full swing .
Why does the Peru have to purchase power? How much kilo watts per hour does the Hydro produce each month? It would be nice to see what it produces each month. Also how much kilo watt per hour the city have to purchase each month. Is the hydro dam producing enough power to pay the loan and over head cost such as maintenance and labor?
1:21 The rates are at best marginally less. But the cost to run and maintain it, and comply with regulations... Those are costs we ALL pay. That money would be available to the city!
To have it make sense, we would need to sell power to others or have power to each of us at half the rates we are charged. READ the consultants analysis!
f anyone would attend council meetings you'd see when waldorf reads the electric report that the city usually brings in several hundred thousands of dollars a month from billing in surplus after paying for the electricity used . but yet according to Harl were broke !
And Harl takes that money and uses it for other things instead of keeping it in the electric department. Yup. Boss Harl never saw a nickel he didn't want to spend.
Twenty different critical comments, twenty different opinions. If you think the electric department should be shut down or we should sell off the hydro plant or the best one yet, merge with LaSalle, then why don't you take out a petition and run for office on those platforms? Put it out there and run. That is how it is supposed to work. The voters will speak one way or the other, as I am sure you will have all of the attention you want. I'm all for change when it is what the citizens want.
5:08 Peru's electrical rate is not 25 times LaSalle's. You said theirs is .045 and ours is .11? Or at least I assume that is what you meant? Sorry, not even close.
Justin
Is that a true statement that the Electrical report shows the City after paying for the power needed for Peru, nets several hundred thousand a month in profits billing outside the city?
You stated you wanted to see the city out of the Power business. Why? You attend meetings as well, even ran as a potential leader. Your also are respected for having a fine economic mind by many.
I am not asking you to put you on the spot, but rather to clarify your position and state the case against that revenue, or debunk it a bit?
If it includes all payments on debt, operating costs, reserve for maintenance/disaster... And still brings in that much monthly... What is the downside? If you have contact with others from the infrastructure committee, maybe you could explain in lay mans terns the dollars and sense of it.
If its just a libertarian fundamentalist belief that Government should not be involved in anything related to the free market, don't bother. We already got that. But if you have facts I really would like to hear them.
Peru electric is not a Co-Op. It is a Municipal Electric. Almost all the power is purchased. The Hydro generates a lot of power, but not enough to meet all the needs. Its profitability comes from selling "green energy credits" which are declining in value. I think it would be best for Peru to get out while the getting is good. Peru is already at least a decade behind on electric distribution technology due to lack of investment. If Peru suffers a significant weather event, they will not be able to restore power quickly due to lack of investment and lack of cash reserves. Remember, it could take FEMA months to come up with money. And yes, Peru owns the power poles, not the telephone company and definitely not the cable company.
Hey 7:16, doesn't red red wine go with steaks for Librrty Fire Company's steak dinner tomorrow? That's right folks, donate money to our fire department so they can eat steaks. And let the taxpayers pay for the while cost if a new fire truck. What a joke. Let's see account info
Another thing our daily dishrag does not tell us. Peru and all the other members of the IMEA are about to pay out the A$$ on this Prairie State Energy fiasco.
8:44
For simplistic reasons; the government isn't a business, and in no way can ever be run as a business.
Selling it would be one less thing our local government would have to worry about, while also making decisions regarding the electric utility more about economic value than a politically motivated one.
Pursuing selling it would also free up debt and use the proceeds to pursue other things in regards to beautification of the city.
I found this chart: http://www.pluginillinois.org/MunicipalAggregationList.aspx
If it is true, then LaSalle is paying 4.42 cents/kwh, and on my most recent bill, I paid $25.98 (including the "purchased power adjustment", whatever that means)for 214kwh which equals 12.14 cents/kwh.
Unless I'm mistaken, I'd like to see proof where people believe their rates will go up by 50% by letting a private utility take over.
9:28 your on fantasy island with those comments. Nothing in your comments has any factual information. Peru has a modern system of technology, surplus funds and profitable.
10:57 Why not be a part of Liberty and take part in the training that Liberty povides? Are you too good for the rest of the program, and in 150 years who are the only firefighters that were not part of Liberty. Why when you need teamwork in public safety would someone not be part of the TEAM? It sends the message that your about yourself not for a team safety approach.
9:28 The power that is purchased comes from the utility that Peru has ownership in with the members of the IMEA. More is generated with the Hydro-electric and a portion is bought from both long term and short-term trading. Your comments of a weather event would serve no purpose, as any power producers would have the same liability. Peru has a advantage with in-house lineman and immediate response to any weather related problem.
Lois, recently you posted a open comment session in which if a subject was not the topic which everyone was addressing it could be brought up in the open comment. Similar to public comment
The reason I bring this up now is the fact that we are commenting on electrical service and rates. This subject is very important and affects all property owners in Peru. It is also a topic which deserves undivided attention to obtain through technical answers. So along comes the normal target of a few in which they butt in and interrupt any number of others comments to inform us of they want account info on the fire department.
@10:57 AM, April 1, 2014
The City of Peru's Fire Department non emergency phone number is 815-223-2141. The C, FD is Jeff King and the Mayor is Scott Harl. There are two alderman who make up the Public Health and Safety Committee which includes the Fire Department. They are Alderman Ferrari and Alderman Sapienza.I assure you that they both have telephones. Until you personally call them with your criticism U R the JOKE! The blog is not designed to do the research you want nor is it going to do your research which you yourself should first attempt!
and the IMEA invested heavily in a political boondoggle called Prairie State Energy, and every member is about to start feeling the pain. Peru may have enough on call linemen, but they don't have transformers just sitting around, let alone poles and transmission line, insulators, re-closers, etc. Well, maybe a few transformers, but not many. As far as technology goes, they still send a meter reader walking through peoples yards to determine usage. Our metering system is 20 years out of date. They cannot selectively shed load - it is all or nothing. The distribution system is primarily above ground - which makes the need for ready spares a requirement. Right of ways and easements throughout the older sections of town have not been enforced and would make a large scale replacement of overhead lines time consuming and difficult. Tree trimming is not enforced. And on and on and on. Finally, the City of Peru does not have the planning ability nor the management expertise to handle this system moving forward. They can't even figure out what to charge their customers.
Nope, you can't convince me that it is wise to continue down this path if there is an escape route. But, if we don't sell it, this is all the more reason to do away with our current form of government and put a City Manager in place that has statuary authority to make sound business decisions. We must also hire a manager that knows how to run a utility - not a friend of a friend that has a pair of lineman's pliers.
Oh, I forgot. Go drink your coffee.
Other power producers have regulatory requirements to keep large cash reserves and large stockpiles of spare parts.
Justin;
I'm a young individual just like you, all I can say is get out while you can. I agree with 99 percent of the things you say and all i can say is (no offense) this blog is riddled with a lot of closed minded people. when you ran for office you noticed a lot of young people expressing how badly they didn't want to stay in this area, well after reading this blog I hope you can understand why. This area is loaded with baby boomers who wouldn't want change if it saved their life. Take care my friend, hope you make your efforts worthwhile.
Why is the assumption always that cheaper is better? Is LaSalle better because it is cheaper to live there? Cecause some of the property values are lower? How is this a good thing?
Our taxes are lower and our schools are the best part of our community hands down. If only our city ran that well.
The bottom line is both my property taxes and my electric bills are pretty low. I can about count on one hand how many times my power has gone out. I have concerns with our city but this idea that cheaper is always better is foolishness. Some of you just rip on everything about Peru but I still would not pick anywhere else to live!
The hell you say! Peru has a fine electrical contingency plan. They will simply use the batteries from the city's vast fleet of trucks. Should be enough to power most of the valley. Last count, 2 vehicles for each employee :) I hear tell that each employee will be allowed to keep their vehicle when they quit or retire. Yup, Peru IL, keeping Detroit in business. Now, time for some coffee.
Its almost time for the kids of the friends of Aldermen to start drawing pay from the City. Last year I made this observation:
Two kids were working for the city. One would dig a hole, then the other would come behind him and fill the hole. They were drenched in sweat because they were not used to manual labor. A man watching from the sidewalk couldn’t believe how hard they were working, but also couldn’t understand what they were doing. Finally he said:
“I’m confused. You dig a hole and then your partner comes behind you and fills it up again!”
The kid doing the digging leaned on his shovel and replied, “Oh yeah, it must look funny. You see, the kid who plants the trees is sick today!”
Well the coffee may be strong but the kool-aid looks to the cause of the recent drug induced surge on Peru Power. Until you come up with rates that are consistent, less costly, more reliable and cheaper please don't jump on this new SELL PERU referendum. I may have supported the at-large craze, after all it didn't cost me money. But, this new new Sell Peru power is serious. Show me the facts and the reasons why before you light us up on this initiative. I don't care about the FBI, flowers, city pick-up, splash pads, steak frys for fireman, or the other non essential issues. Just my residential power.
804 I think you need to look at your Peru electric Bill. Simple math that 3rd grader can do. I paid eleven cents per kilo watt hour for February 2014. I'm sorry the city of Peru doesn't break the line charge down on there bill.
I think the electric department conversation is really about not trusting our current gaggle of “Dear Leaders.” This effete corps of impudent snobs who characterize themselves as intellectuals will be the ruin of Peru. I think everyone is in agreement that electric power distribution has been well handled since the 1960’s. But this is not the doing of the current regime. So why not spin it off to protect it?
3:49 that is the most bull made up story and you know it.
4:20 I think you are referring to 8:40. Eleven cents is .11 and the other person said LaSalle's is .045 and implied it is that much cheaper. By my math 11 cents is about 25 times .45 cents so just move the decimal and there is nothing wrong with the math.
This is the problem the critics cherry pick numbers and I still wouldn't trade LaSalle's rate for ours. My electric bill is ridiculously low but try telling anyone on the blog that.
There is no longer any sense or reason here just rumors that entertain craziness. Now the new cause is selling the electric plant?
Hey everyone, "Justin's" electric bill last month was $25.98. For a month of electrical power. Wow. Sounds like a good reason to sell the plant to me!
6:11 - ahhh, I think it was a joke. Really, imagine kids actually digging a hole in the ground. That would never happen with our hired kids of the friends of Aldermen.
I agree 6:18. The residential rate is way to low. The politicians that set the rate keep the residential rate low and make up the difference by charging commercial and industrial users way more, above the market actually. It should be balanced out and residential users should actually pay more to keep the system up and running. Votes are getting in the way of providing a reliable service. Just like the water rate. It should be twice what they are charging and the money should be used to upgrage the system.
I don't like the fact that I'm home eating tuna with crackers and my fireman are always eating steak and shrimp and open bar at Christmas parties and asking for donations . I can afford those things but chose to spend my hard earned money wisely . I pay taxes to support my fire dept . so don't give me that crap that I better hope I don't need their help either. Liberty sounds like the joke to a lot of us .
I like the fact that my power in Peru never goes out ! No matter that every town around us is having power outages , mine is still on. I've lived in Peru over 30 years and the power went out less than a dozen times . Mostly because of car accidents hitting a pole or an animal getting in the way .
@ 1:44
So your saying fireman don't get trained unless they are a liberty member ? And I believe when the city took over the fire dept. a few years back fireman had a choice whether or not they wanted to be a member of liberty, the fireman's association. Liberty has no power or say in what happens in the city run fire department. You're living in the past when liberty ran everything . That's not how it is any more. The only thing us citizens can't understand is why Liberty thinks it still runs the show ! Your bylaws or Constitution is as useless as using a fork to eat soup when it comes to the city fire Dept.
6:18
Congratulations! You've completely missed the point and cherry picked a part of my statement with nothing more than a straw man argument. My dollar amount isn't that high, considering I live in a relatively small house with one other person, but that doesn't mean better options can't be pursued. I guess you'll completely disregard the chart from the website I found, where, according to the website, LaSalle pays 4.42 cents/kwh to our 12 cents/kwh.
I was under the assumption that fireman didn't need to be part of Liberty to be a fireman . Just like to be a city fireman there is a 10 mile residency clause but to be a member of Liberty there is a "live in Peru" clause . I'm a fireman in a neighboring town and we have the same type of group . The guys don't need to be part of our fireman's association to be a fireman. We all still train the same and get along. We don't look down or talk bad about fireman that aren't on our fireman's association . I guess our association hasn't been around for 150 years yet so we're not as stuck up as you guys ! This is just stupid that your organization can talk like other guys aren't as good of fireman like members of your association. This is exactly why us other towns leave your town out of alot of stuff , your attitudes! We are all fireman first and are all in this together , we aren't here to make money for ourselves or our association, we're here to serve the public . Get it together , please !
Liberty has outlived it's welcome. We don't need them any more taking from our pockets to feed them and get them drunk.
Justin
It might make sense to directly compare two residential bills, one in La Salle and one in Peru. The purchase rate per KWh is in the 4 to 6 cent range for all suppliers, but to get the total you need to divide the total bill by the kwh. That is because over half is in the distribution charge , or line charge. Thats the cost to get it to you.
There also a flat customer charge. I am not looking at a Peru bill right now, but if they break all those out, it would be easy to compare the three sections. Lois, you can do a nice picture blog for everyone to look at them.
I think you will find that it is nit true that other cities are paying far less, nor is Peru supplying at much less. The people spouting we have low electric rates are just wrong..its not much lower and the plant and the utility itself is becoming a possible liability. Note I said possible.
It's green credits might be very attractive to a buyer, and a long term sweetheart deal gor both residents and say all new INDUSTRIAL users might be negotiated. Otherwise, I am afraid that Peru will be over its head in regulation and power management, if it is not already.
This is not just about being against EVERYTHING, or a referendum du jour, it really needs strong analysis because it is both important and dynamic. Things are changing rapidly in the power supply business. Not many cities are utilities as well. Our infrastructure is old and NOT in great shape. We do NOT have sufficient reserve. It does not seem as if Justin knows how much the plant makes as far as profit, or its source of profit...another blogger said it was from selling green credits. I would like some facts on it... Without pre judging either way.
6:45. Thanks for your blog. Your service to your community is for the right reasons. Certain communities put out a persona that they are better then others.
I live in lasalle and I pay between 7 and 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
3:39 again..that says nothing. Is that your total...or only your power cost? Did you get it by taking the total bill divided by kwh? If so then you are paying much less than most.
If that's only your power cost... You need to switch suppliers. If it's your total... You are doing great!
I also live in lasalle and I pay that much, sometimes it can be as low as 6.5 cents per hour.
Peru has a great electric dept they all work hard and I for one am grateful I never lose power thank you! also I wish you people would quit complaining about steak dinners-have you never worked anywhere where you have a kitty and out of that kitty you have a party now and then if you haven't then start one up at you workplace and have some fun
8:29 At our workplace, we actually contributed to our kitty, and did not fleece people with a fake charity to get the money.
I am sure you wish people would stop complaining about your slush fund.
To 6:00pm. That is my total cost which includes everything. The city of Peru doesn't necessarily have a bad system, but the cost of everything electricity related has come down substantially in the past 15 years (my brother in law is an electrical engineer). Why they monopolize a system where competition can bring down costs without sacrificing quality is beyond me. Perhaps it's politically motivated?
I think everyone is missing the biggest point. Can Peru continue to manage the system and maintain the reliability that everyone is used to? The current refusal to bring in experience from the "outside world" is indicative of a larger problem and will slowly degrade the service. The electric fund also needs to keep large cash reserves "just in case." I don't think the city has the political will to let money sit idle.
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